Prince Albert of Monaco Backs Desert Inn Proposal While Touring Vegas

Royal Highness Prince Albert of Monaco paid a visit to the Napa restaurant at the Rio Suites Hotel and Casino late Tuesday night as a guest of Boccardi Capital Systems and voiced his support for efforts to acquire the property and build a new gaming, entertainment and resort complex led by Italian developer Fabrizio Boccardi.

``I am pleased to have the support and encouragement of my dear friend Prince Albert on my recent efforts to acquire the Desert Inn property for our proposed resort development in Las Vegas,'' said Boccardi.

``With so many virtual visions of great European landmarks springing up in the Las Vegas desert, it is heartening to see an actual European going out and conquering Las Vegas with some genuine European flair,'' Prince Albert said. The Prince was in Las Vegas for vacation at the invitation of friends.

Boccardi Capital Systems previously disclosed a $200 million all-cash offer for the entire Desert Inn hotel and casino complex, including the golf course. Boccardi Capital Systems is a Las Vegas-based development and investment company comprised of investors from the United States and Europe.