For the first time in a long time, B.C. politicians returned to the legislature for a new session and a raucous question period.
Among the issues that were loudly debated was the sudden resignation of the CEO of the BC Lottery Corporation who took a new job with Paragon Gaming, the very company he regulated in his previous role.
The government has now launched an investigation of that entire process.
Michael Graydon spoke exclusively with our Jas Johal on the Global BC News Hour tonight.
He says there’s no conflict with joining Paragon’s as President of their subsidiary PV Hospitality.
“There really isn’t a conflict per say in this, and as much it’s a very consistent, highly-regulated industry that is regulated by someone else – not BCLC.”
PV Hospitality is a partnership between Las Vegas based Paragon and 360 Vox.
Paragon owns Edgewater Casino, and along with 360 Vox, is developing the $535 million destination resort complete with 600 slots next to BC Place.
It will be Graydon’s job to develop the resort. He says he was contacted about the job late last year.
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“They reached out to me just before Christmas,” says Graydon. “I actually didn’t sign the official employment agreement with this organization until my final day at BCLC. I left the organization and came downtown and signed the agreement at that particular time.”
Critics say Graydon’s inside knowledge at BCLC will be a huge benefit to Paragon, and BCLC presumably helped negotiate the terms for the new casino proposal by BC Place.
Graydon also points out BCLC only manages casino’s and the province’s gaming policy enforcement branch is the regulator.
He says the industry is transparent and financial information regarding casino revenue and management philosophy is easily available online.
“Almost everything is in the public domain, and there’s nothing from my perspective from when I was the CEO that would detrimental to any other operator, or advantageous to Paragon. There is no conflict of interest.”
— with files from Jas Johal
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