Casino Control Commission denies one key‑employee application, approves multiple resubmissions and temporary licenses

The Casino Control Commission convened for a public meeting to consider a slate of casino key‑employee license matters, including the denial of one initial application for failure to cooperate, approvals of resubmitted licenses and multi‑casino endorsements, and temporary qualifications for Golden Nugget‑affiliated executives.

The Division of Gaming Enforcement told the Commission it had filed a 03/21/2025 letter report recommending that the application of Timothy J. Marks be denied “for failing to cooperate in the division's investigation into the applicant's qualification for casino key employee licensure as required by section 89 of the Casino Control Act,” Deputy Attorney General Jocelyn Fedowitz said. The Commission voted to find Marks disqualified and to deny the initial application.

Commission staff recommended and the Commission approved routine grants and resubmissions. The Commission voted to grant eight initial casino key‑employee licenses whose applications drew no division objections, and separately remanded three named initial applications to the contested‑case process after the Division objected. A motion carried to grant 25 resubmitted casino key‑employee licenses that the Division and staff recommended for approval.

The Commission also approved particular resubmissions with conditions: Annabelle Lynn (also known as Annabelle Montemayor) received a multi‑casino endorsement to serve as Regional Security Administrator for Caesars, Harrah's and Tropicana; Kiana N. Stevens' resubmitted license was approved under a stipulation of settlement that, if approved, will make her license valid through January 2027 subject to stipulated conditions; Jeremy S. Edwards' stipulation will keep his license valid through June 2028 subject to conditions; and Stacy A. Parker's stipulation will keep her license valid through May 2029 subject to conditions.

The Commission considered a plenary application for Jay Tarbell to serve as vice president of human resources for Golden Nugget Atlantic City LLC. Counsel for the applicant (Pacifico Agnellini) and the Division (Deputy Attorney General Nicole Chamron) presented the draft resolution and stipulation; the Commission adopted the draft resolution, approved the stipulation and granted Tarbell an initial casino key‑employee license and plenary qualification, subject to the conditions noted in the resolution.

Separately, Golden Nugget Atlantic City LLC and GNAC Holdings LLC sought a temporary casino key‑employee license and temporary qualification for Whit Armstrong to assume duties as chief information security officer pending plenary qualification. The Division filed a response with no objection; the Commission approved the petition and issued the temporary license and temporary qualification under the cited statute and administrative code provisions.

Administrative and housekeeping items included ratification of the public meeting minutes from 05/14/2025, memorializing delegated approvals during May 2025, approval of four inactivation requests (allowing the named individuals to remain on an approved and active list for up to five years if inactivated), and a finding that ten licenses lapsed for failure to file required review applications. The chair announced the next closed session date and the meeting adjourned after a motion to do so carried by voice vote.

Votes at a glance - Ratify 05/14/2025 public meeting minutes: motion moved and seconded; approved by voice vote (transcript records ayes; individual tallies not specified). - Grant eight initial casino key‑employee licenses: motion moved and seconded; approved by voice vote (tally not specified in transcript). - Remand three initial applications (James J. Karr; Stephen E. Trainer; Brian E. Tindell): motion moved and seconded; Commission voted to remand to contested case process. - Grant 25 resubmitted casino key‑employee licenses: motion carried by voice vote. - Grant resubmission and multi‑casino endorsement for Annabelle Lynn (Annabelle Montemayor): motion carried (endorsed to serve at Caesars, Harrah's and Tropicana). - Inactivate four licenses (Edward H. Andrews; Kathleen Devlin; Brian M. Hess; Jerome M. Persiano): motion carried. - Find 10 listed licenses lapsed pursuant to NJAC 19:41‑6.1(f): motion carried. - Deny initial application of Timothy J. Marks (docket 250034CK) pursuant to NJSA 5:12‑80(b),(d), 5:12‑86, 5:12‑89 and related provisions: motion carried. - Approve stipulation of settlement and grant resubmission: Kiana N. Stevens (license valid through January 2027 under terms); Jeremy S. Edwards (through June 2028 under terms); Stacy A. Parker (through May 2029 under terms). - Grant initial license and plenary qualification to Jay Tarbell for Golden Nugget Atlantic City LLC: motion adopted by roll call (transcript records three named commissioners responding yes). - Approve petition and issue temporary license/qualification to Whit Armstrong (temporary chief information security officer for GNAC Holdings LLC): motion adopted by roll call (transcript records three named commissioners responding yes).

What was said (selected quotations and attributions) - "The division filed a letter report recommending that the application of Timothy Marks ... be denied for failing to cooperate in the division's investigation ... as required by section 89 of the Casino Control Act," Jocelyn Fedowitz, deputy attorney general, said when presenting the Division's recommendation to deny the application. - "If approved, Miss Stevens' license will be valid through January 2027 subject to certain conditions," Teresa Pimpanelli, senior counsel for the Commission, said describing the stipulation for Kiana N. Stevens. - "This memorializes the approvals that were granted by the commission's division of regulatory affairs by its delegated authority during this period," Patrick Ehler, assistant director, said when summarizing delegated May approvals.

Context and next steps Most matters on the agenda were routine, staff‑recommended license actions or stipulations of settlement; the denial of Timothy J. Marks' initial application was the principal contested outcome recorded at this meeting. Several matters were remanded to the contested‑case process and the Commission recorded delegated administrative approvals and future closed session scheduling. Where the transcript records only a voice vote ("ayes have it") it does not provide full individual vote tallies; formal voting records and minutes will be posted on the Commission's website when available.

Note on transcript inconsistencies The meeting transcript includes a typographical rendering of the Commission's name as "Center Control Commission" in one early line; the official body is the Casino Control Commission. Resolution numbers and some proper names in the transcript appear garbled; the article cites the statute and administrative code provisions as given in the transcript and notes unresolved transcription inconsistencies for clarification in the posted minutes.