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Construction Firm Ordered to Stop Atlantic City Work

A construction company doing work for Atlantic City casinos was ordered by the regulators in Casino Control Commission to cease its services in the city as the firm owners were allegedly involved in breaking conflict-of-interest laws in the city with former New York police commissioner Bernard Kerik.

The regulators' order effectively suspends the casino service licenses of Interstate Industrial Corp., of Clifton, and mob owners Frank and Peter DiTommaso.

Police said the suspension was not opposed by Interstate or the brothers, who have asked that the hearing for revocation of licenses wait until after perjury charges in New York are resolved.

Kerik, who was New York City police commissioner and one-time nominee for Homeland Security secretary, pleaded guilty in June to misdemeanor charges, as he admittedly accepted a high-profile present from a firm wishing to launch a business with the city.

In connection to Kerik's plea, the DiTomasso brothers in July pleaded not guilty to New York charges that they secretly paid most of the cost of Kerik's apartment overhaul in the Bronx. The DiTomassos may face up to seven years in prison if convicted.

The Division of Gaming Enforcement, in a complaint filed last year, said the DiTommasos lied to authorities about their knowledge of Kerik's apartment overhaul in 1999.

The commission has yet to schedule a hearing on a request by the state Division of Gaming Enforcement to revoke the licenses, commission spokesman Daniel Heneghan said.