Monterrey casino owner received extortion demands before arson attack

Milenio News reports that one of the owners of the Casino Royale in Monterrey was the recipient of extortion demands before the August 25 arson attack which killed 52 people. The first demand was for $40-$50 thousand USD, and the second for $140 thousand. Worse still, a deputy prosecutor working on the case refused to respond to Milenio’s question about the source of the demands: drug cartels – the usual suspects – or possibly government officials. The prosecutor said the matter was “under investigation.” The owner, Raúl Rocha Cantú, arrived at the casino literally as it was in flames. He and family members then fled almost immediately to the United States. He testified earlier this week from Miami. Investigators have emphasized that Rocha Cantú is a witness only, not a suspect.
Wikileaks disclosures, based on stolen U.S. diplomatic cables, indicate that Monterrey casino money may have been delivered both to drug dealers and to government office holders or office seekers in recent years. No word yet on when – or if – Rocha Cantú plans to return to Monterrey. The Milenio story is here: http://www.milenio.com/cdb/doc/noticias2011/97186011b1e2c6897862b4e1b22c4d40