New York reshuffle for Genting Malaysia Berhad

In the American state of New York and casino operator Genting Malaysia Berhad has reportedly ‘parted ways’ with the long-time Security Director for its slots-only Resorts World Casino New York City property, Timothy Pearson.

According to a Sunday report from the New York Post newspaper, the move from the Kuala Lumpur-headquartered firm comes after it was recently revealed that Pearson was simultaneously holding down a paid advisory role with the New York City Economic Development Corporation. Genting Malaysia Berhad purportedly decided that this state of affairs could raise ethics concerns as it is looking to gain permission to bring a full-blown Las Vegas-style casino to its Resorts World Casino New York City facility.

Concealed cooperation:

The newspaper reported that Genting Malaysia Berhad was also said to be upset by the fact that Pearson had not promptly disclosed his salaried post with the New York City Economic Development Corporation, which began from May 31. Nevertheless, the operator was purportedly aware that the former police inspector has a long-standing friendship with recently-elected New York City Mayor Eric Adams (pictured) and had even served as an unpaid advisor to the Democrat’s transition team.

Improvement intention:

Genting Malaysia Berhad is reportedly eager to take advantage of legislation passed in 2013 that gave the New York State Gaming Commission the ability to license up to three ‘downstate’ casino resorts for the area around New York City. Such an outcome could purportedly well result in the Resorts World New York City venue as well as MGM Resorts International’s nearby Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway property being transformed into full-blown gambling palaces.

Premiere preference:

However, the New York Post reported that Adams is to have a say on any proposals made by the New York State Gaming Commission and has already been the subject of lobbying efforts from numerous operators and developers. The 61-year-old will eventually sit on a specially-established board alongside a borough president, council member, state senator and state assembly person to purportedly make the ultimate decision on whether to block or approve any new casino licenses.

Commendable characterization:

Genting Malaysia Berhad, which is additionally responsible for ‘upstate’ New York’s Resorts World Catskills venue via its majority stake in operator Empire Resorts Incorporated, reportedly used an official Sunday filing to announce Pearson’s departure after over ten years. The casino firm purportedly went on to describe the former security chief for its Resorts World Casino New York City facility as ‘a distinguished hero’ who had joined its ranks after serving ‘the city for many years as a leader at the New York City Police Department.’

Reportedly read a statement from Genting Malaysia Berhad…

“Timothy used those same skills to keep our facility and community safe for over a decade. We support his decision to lend his expertise to the city in its pursuit of making our streets safer and we wish him well.”