Richard Duchossois, owner of Arlington International Racecourse in suburban Chicago, admitted to entering into a secret scheme with the backers of a floating casino in Rosemont, Illinois, to use his influence to obtain legislative approval for the gaming facility, the Chicago Tribune reported in its Sunday editions.

Duchossois made the statement in a deposition given on February 29 in connection with a lawsuit filed against Emerald Casino Inc. by California billionaire Marvin Davis.

According to Duchossois's sworn testimony, obtained by the Tribune, he was promised a 20% interest in the Rosemont riverboat if he used his political clout to get it approved.

Davis said he was also asked to lobby the legislature for approval as part of the unwritten deal. In his federal suit Davis alleges that he was cheated out of a 37.5% interest in the riverboat by Emerald, run by Donald F. Flynn and his son Kevin. Davis seeks $250-million in damages.

Lawyers for Emerald deny any secret deal was made, but at the same time said any such deal would be null and void. In their brief, they wrote, "The Supreme Court has held that a secret agreement to deceive a government agency is unenforceable."

Last October, Duchossois denied reports that he owned an interest in the Rosemont casino. Duchossois's attorney, David Filkin, said his client's statement then was technically true because the Flynns never honored the oral offer of an option to buy into the casino.