At the time, Keeler was vice president and general counsel for New Centaur, the parent company of Indiana Grand Racing and Casino in Shelbyville.
That casino, along with its corporate cousin, Hoosier Park Racing and Casino in Anderson, were sold for $1.7 billion in July 2018 to Caesars Entertainment Corp., which in July 2020 was acquired by Caesars Entertainment Inc., formerly known as ElDorado Resorts.
None of Keeler’s alleged misdeeds occurred in connection with Spectacle Entertainment, a company formed by Keeler, former Centaur CEO Rod Ratcliff and other investors to purchase Gary’s Majestic Star casinos in March 2019.
Nevertheless, Keeler has taken administrative leave from Spectacle following the indictment, according to Spectacle spokeswoman Kay Kearney.
Ratcliff resigned as Spectacle chairman and CEO in July and is not permitted to exercise any control or management at Majestic Star, though he remains a substantial owner of the company, according to the Indiana Gaming Commission.
The company declined to say anything further, other than to note Keeler is presumed innocent until he is found guilty in a court of law.
Sara Tait, Gaming Commission executive director, signed an emergency order Tuesday suspending Keeler’s state license to operate, manage or otherwise work in an Indiana casino for at least 90 days.
