Lumiere's CEO resigns after threat allegations

By Ryan Dean

KSDK -- A top business executive resigned Monday after making alleged threats to a St. Louis County lawmaker.

The company, Pinnacle Entertainment, owns Lumiere Place, President Casino and next year will open River City Casino in South County.

Pinnacle Entertainment CEO Dan Lee resigned just days after the Missouri Gaming Commission launched an investigation into possible threats Lee made towards St. Louis County Councilman Steve Stenger.

Stenger represents the area where River City Casino is being built.

He said Lee made a threat at last week's county council meeting after he and the other lawmakers approved a zoning change in North County that could pave the way for a new casino.

"He went over to my assistant and said that was the worst move that I could have made in my political career and he was not going to forget it and he never forgets things like this," Councilman Stenger said.

If a new casino is built in the Columbia Bottoms area, it will likely serve as competition to Pinnacle.

Stenger said before the vote, Lee talked to him about the money Pinnacle has invested into South County and to "do the right thing."