Paragon Gaming Hires ex-B.C. Lottery Boss
Michael Graydon was, until recently, the Chief Executive Officer of the B.C. Lottery Corporation. In an unexpected move, Graydon recently resigned from the B.C. Lottery Corporation. Shortly thereafter, 360 VOX Corp. and Paragon Gaming hired the ex-B.C. Lottery boss. Paragon Gaming and 360 VOX Corp. have recently formed a partnership, and Graydon has been hired to take on the position of president of PV Hospitality. There have been some objections to Graydon's move from the B.C. Lottery Corporation.
Opponents of the Vancouver Paragon Plan Object
While Graydon should be free to work for whomever he chooses, there has been a lot of opposition to his move over to Paragon. Those who oppose this change are also opposed to the casino resort that will be situated in Vancouver next door to BC Place Stadium.
Paragon Development Ltd. was issued with a permit to develop the space in downtown Vancouver that is located next door to the stadium. The company has been given permission to relocate the Edgewater Casino, although not to expand the number of gaming tables and gaming machines. Included in the permit, Paragon Development Ltd. can build two hotels, a spa, a gym, restaurants, lounges, and a conference area in the complex. The newly relocated casino will have a much bigger amount of floor space than the current Edgewater Casino.
The Vancouver Not Vegas representative, Sandy Garossino, said that she felt that Graydon taking up a job at Paragon Gaming is not acceptable. She felt that a conflict of interests would arise because Graydon has knowledge that he otherwise would not possess if he had not worked for the B.C. Lottery Corporation.
Garossino said: "Up until a week ago, Mr. Graydon was overseeing Paragon Gaming. He was in communication with them - we have the ongoing and very high-profile matter of the Edgewater Casino - and at the same time, presumably, he was in discussion with them over his employment."
Graydon at Paragon Gaming
Michael Graydon, according to a press release that came from Paragon Gaming, will at first "be oversight and operations of Vancouver's new world-class urban resort adjacent to BC Place."
While the opposition is unhappy that Graydon will be taking knowledge learned at B.C. Lottery over with him to Paragon, the BCLC chairperson, Bud Smith, explained that all employees may seek employment within private sector firms if they wish to do so. He also explained that Graydon, as all other BCLC employees, has signed confidentiality agreements that are effective for the employees' life.
