From Crystal Club Soda to Gertrude Hawk Chocolate

One of the fastest-selling books in Northeastern Pennsylvania is not a national best seller, or even a new book. “I Heard You Paint Houses: Frank ‘the Irishman’ Sheeran and Closing the Case of Jimmy Hoffa,” (Steerforth, 2004) by Charles Brandt, is based on the deathbed confession of a mafia hit man who claims to have killed Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa on the orders of Russell Bufalino, the reputed mob boss from West Pittston. The book owes its resurgence to the travails of Mount Airy Casino Resort owner Louis DeNaples and his friend, diocesan priest the Rev. Joseph Sica, who made headlines after indictments challenged their characterization of their relationship with Mr. Bufalino, his alleged successor William D’Elia, and others. [Times-Tribune]

Louis A. DeNaples has been suspended from his position as chairman of First National Community Bancorp Inc. The federal Office of the Comptroller of the Currency on Monday also barred DeNaples from working for any other bank. DeNaples, 67, who is the bank’s largest shareholder, requested a temporary leave of absence last week, the bank said.  [Philly.com]

Louis A. DeNaples pleaded not guilty to perjury charges, made bail and walked out the front door of the Dauphin County Courthouse on Wednesday, avoiding what his attorney feared could have become a media-fueled spectacle.  Mr. DeNaples’ arraignment, arranged with Dauphin County Judge Todd A. Hoover and unannounced by the court or prosecutors, went off quickly and quietly, avoiding news cameras and reporters who had periodically staked out the downtown Harrisburg courthouse since charges were announced last week.  Mr. DeNaples did not speak during the 10-minute arraignment, Mr. Feeley said. Mr. Sprague announced Mr. DeNaples was innocent, pleading not guilty and requesting a jury trial. Mr. DeNaples signed a bail document agreeing to appear at all future court dates and was released on $25,000 unsecured bail, meaning he had to post no money.  Continue reading.

Louis DeNaples has requested a temporary leave of absence as director and chairman of the board of the Dunmore-based banking company First National Community Bancorp. Inc. Mr. DeNaples is the major shareholder of the publicly traded bank.  Mr. DeNaples appeared in Dauphin County Court for arraignment at 3:00 p.m. today and was released on $25,000 bail.  Continue reading.

The state Gaming Control Board indefinitely suspended the license of indicted Poconos casino owner Louis DeNaples this afternoon, and appointed a former Shippensburg University president to run Mount Airy Casino Resort.  The board had temporarily suspended DeNaples’ license last week, when Dauphin County District Attorney Ed Marsico charged the Scranton-area businessman with four counts of perjury. Marsico alleges DeNaples, during his license application process, lied to the board about his ties to two reputed mafia figures and two other men at the center of a federal corruption probe in Philadelphia.  Continue reading.

The signs of Louis DeNaples’ generosity to his hometown are evident throughout the borough, from the police station he donated to the ladder truck he bought for the Fire Department.  Most of his contributions were made anonymously, but it’s an open secret that Mr. DeNaples has often quietly stepped in to help the chronically cash-strapped borough.  It was Mr. DeNaples’ charitable side many borough residents focused on Wednesday as word spread of his indictment on perjury charges.  Continue reading.

In a stunning development that reverberated across the state, Dunmore businessman and casino owner Louis A. DeNaples was charged with perjury Wednesday, accused of lying to state gambling regulators when asked whether he had ties to organized crime figures. Continue reading.

The recently resigned top federal prosecutor in central and northeastern Pennsylvania is working for a casino owner who is under investigation for alleged ties to organized crime.  Former U.S. Attorney Thomas Marino told The Patriot-News of Harrisburg that his work will be limited to other businesses owned by Louis A. DeNaples, and will not involve Mount Airy Casino Resort or defending DeNaples in the ongoing grand jury investigation.  Marino, 55, started his new job last month as in-house counsel for DeNaples’ other business interests. DeNaples chairs his own bank, First National Community Bank, based in Dunmore, and has an interest in more than 100 businesses, including real estate, a landfill and auto parts.  Continue reading.

To win a slots license for his Mount Airy Casino Resort, Louis DeNaples hired some high-powered legal help to address long-standing allegations of ties to organized crime.  He turned to Peter Vaira, a former U.S. attorney in Philadelphia, to investigate his background and prepare a report for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.  But DeNaples’ recruitment of former federal prosecutors didn’t stop there. He enlisted two other former U.S. attorneys and a former assistant U.S. attorney, who successfully prosecuted DeNaples in 1977, for critical tasks involving his gaming application and a subsequent grand jury investigation.  Continue reading.

The $35 million, 118,000-square-foot center, named for the parents of Dunmore businessman and former university trustee Louis DeNaples, attracted students, parents and campus employees, who got their first look at the University of Scranton’s new building Wednesday.  The four-story structure along Mulberry Street replaces the Gunster Memorial Student Center, which will be demolished in the next few weeks. Most of the DeNaples Center is complete, but contractors are still working on the final touches.  Continue reading.  Editor’s Note:  The Russell Bufalino Center for Ethical Studies is scheduled to open next year.