Jackson Jambalaya

Don't see the issue here. No different than insurance commissioners going to work in the industry, or politicians becoming lobbyists. Plus MCOA doesnot represent the whole industry.

Is there something sleazy you know that you aren't saying, or are you just assuming there is something sleazy? I don't really see anything wrong with being hired to do something you have experience doing. I can see why you might take a look at it to see if there was some hanky panky somewhere in the past, but changing jobs in the same industry shouldn't be called "sleazy" by itself.

Maybe I have a problem with the top regulators looking at the industries they regulate with an eye towards working for them when they immediately leave office. Wait, I forgot, I'm in Mississippi.

Kingfish--you hit the nail on the head with this one. So the person in charge of regulating an industry for ten years now goes to work for that industry. Perhaps the regulatory decisions (or lack thereof) over the last ten years should be reviewed if one might have been planning this golden parachute for a while.

Let's see now, ol' Larry's retirement is not effective until September 1, but he has already been named head of this industry group while still on the state payroll???

I don't see the big deal. When Kingfish retires this blog and goes to work for Donna Ladd, we'll talk. Just kidding.

Maybe I have a problem with the top regulators looking at the industries they regulate with an eye towards working for them when they immediately leave office. Wait, I forgot, I'm in Mississippi.

Would you have a problem with bottom regulators looking at the industries they regulate with an eye towards working for them when they immediate leave office?

The MCOA as an organization is never going to appear before the Gaming Commission. I get the impression that you don't know very much about how casinos are regulated here. You do realize that the MGC is entirely funded by...the casinos. That's right - the casinos pay the salary of every gaming commission staff member. Does that present an ethical issue for you? If the mGC approves more casinos, they get more fees and can hire more staff, right? (not that this is an issue as casinos aren't exactly beating down the door to come here)

If those whose job it is to regulate/oversee an industry aspire/hope to make more money in a job with that industry in the future, it wouldn't be wise to be a tough minded regulator.
And,as an industry, who better to have in your employ than someone who can tell you the limitations and practices of the group overseeing your industry?
There is a difference between " assuming the worst" as some suggest KF has done, and being realistic about human behavior where profit is concerned.

Is any of this really any more sleazy than a paid lobbyist whose wife solicits campaign funding for a myriad of clients in a side business simultaneously serving as an elected government official as Whitwell is doing?

This guy knows gaming. What other industry is he supposed to work in? I guess if he was making moves before he retired that's one thing, but otherwise I don't see the problem.

Gregory's been looking for a casino job for the past year at least, while serving as the director of the gaming. He's retired, but still on the state dole as a "consultant" -- more wasted tax dollars!

@Boarzombie, this guy does NOT know gaming, he's a career government hack who knows politics and CYA, and now you can add influence peddling...

The term Mississippi Ethics is an oxymoron.

Maybe boarzombie is on to something. Gregory DOES know gaming, remember when he played in a poker tournament when he was deputy director and got his former boss and chief of staff fired for doing the same thing and he got promoted to director? Game on!