Fabrizio Boccardi

Fabrizio Boccardi is an Italian American entrepreneur and investor known for investments and ventures in hospitality, real estate, media, and technology. Boccardi created a fictional character "The Tyrant", a Las Vegas Casino owner, who has been the subject of two books and rumored deals for comics and movie franchises.[1][2][3][4] Boccardi has attempted to buy control of a Las Vegas casino and has announced intentions to create a casino and gaming franchise based on the fictional character.[5][6]

Fabrizio Boccardi
Born
Milan, Italy
OccupationEntrepreneur, investor, producer

Early life
Boccardi during a March 2018 TV interview in Las Vegas.

Boccardi was born in Milan, Italy; his father Giampiero Boccardi, was a businessman in Italy with holdings in construction, insurance and financial services.[7] Boccardi attended the Leone XIII school in Milan, and then the Ophenaimer. He continued his studies in the United States, attending Villanova Preparatory School, in Ojai, California, but was unable to finish his junior year when his family's holding company's collapsed and finished school in Italy.[7]

Boccardi invested in condominium development in the South of France before moving to Las Vegas in 2000.[8][7]

Property investment

Boccardi has attempted to buy a Las Vegas casino, since 1999.[9][10] At that time, he signed an agreement to buy the New Frontier Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, for $270 million owned at the time by Phil Ruffin. The price Boccardi was willing to pay in 1999 for the aged New Frontier Hotel & Casino, was considered too high by the lenders and gaming analysts as a result Boccardi was forced to pull out during due diligence and terminate the agreement with Ruffin. Phil Ruffin sold the New Frontier to El Ad Properties in 2007 at more than $1.2 billion, the 36 Frontier acres sold for more than $33 million an acre.[11][12]

In 2000, Boccardi offered $200 million for the Desert Inn Hotel & Casino, but his offer was considered too low by owners Starwood Hotel & Resorts and was then sold to Las Vegas casino owner Steve Wynn for $275 million. [13][14] To publicize his bid for the Desert Inn, Boccardi invited Prince Albert of Monaco to Las Vegas.[15][16][17][18]

In 2003, Boccardi bid $8.50 per share for control of Riviera Holdings, owners of the Riviera Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip and a casino in Black Hawk, Colorado. Boccardi's offer caused the stock of the company to increase substantially.[19][20][21] The offer was subject to a change of ‘control put’ and bondholders’ approval of the debt holders of the public company trading on the American Stock Exchange. Management rejected the offer, causing some shareholders to file suit against Riviera's management for not considering the offer.[22][23][24][25][26][27] Boccardi in an interview with the Wall Street Journal claimed that if successful buying the Riveria it would be rebranded as The Seven Sins.[28][29]

Seven Sins Megaresort

Boccardi has announced plans to use his media properties such as Tiranno, Tyrant and Tyrant Knight to launch a global gaming and hospitality brand which will include the construction of the Seven Sins Megaresort, the same casino depicted in the Michael Tiranno the Tyrant book series, films and comics. In an interview with Robin Leach via the Review Journal in 2017, Boccardi confirmed that the timing for his casino and hospitality plans to be realized will be primarily determined by the level of success of the film The Seven Sins.[30][31][32][33][34][35]

Litigation

In April 2004, DE Shaw Laminar Portfolios announced in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) pending strategic discussions with Boccardi regarding the Riviera Casino, and bought 10% in Riviera Holdings from Donald Trump.[36][37][38][39][40][41][42] In May 2004, in subsequent filings with the SEC, DE Shaw Laminar Portfolios announced the termination of its discussions with Boccardi regarding Riviera Holdings. Stock of Riviera Holdings trading on the American Stock Exchange subsequently split 3 for 1 and was trading at a substantial premium.[43][44]

In 2005 Boccardi Capital Systems filed suit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in Manhattan, against DE Shaw Laminar Portfolios for breach of contract and other allegations in connection with Riviera Holdings, asking for compensation of approximately $140 million. The suit was finally dismissed in February 2009, and despite an appeal that Boccardi Capital filed immediately thereafter, the judgment was reaffirmed in December 2009 by the United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit.[45][46][47][48][49]

Twentieth Century Fox and King Midas World Entertainment reached a settlement in 2014 regarding the TYRANT Mark. Both parties called on to refrain from challenging each other's mark, with FX's “Tyrant” TV serie based on the story of an American family drawn into Middle Eastern turmoil, and King Midas’ “Tyrant” a Las Vegas-based superhero property created by Boccardi.[50][51][52]

Venture capital

Boccardi is also a venture capitalist and technology entrepreneur.[53][54][55] Through several of his controlled entities he provides capital in promising business ventures in the US and elsewhere.[56] Boccardi is creator of proprietary intelligent software systems methods of payment, finance, and social commerce.[57][58][59][60]

Fictional character

The Tyrant Knight is Boccardi's franchised fictional character, first appearing in 2008 in the book "The Seven Sins: The Tyrant Ascending," written by Jon Land[61] and published by Macmillan.[3] Boccardi worked with Land to create the story, which is loosely inspired by Boccardi's own life.[62][63]

In 2008, The Seven Sins: The Tyrant Ascending was published by Forge Books/Saint Martin's Press.[64] The Library Journal selected The Seven Sins: The Tyrant Ascending as a "Best Thriller of 2008."[65][66]

The second book in the series titled "Black Scorpion The Tyrant Reborn" was published in North America by Macmillan Publishing Group on April 7, 2015, written by Jon Land and created by Boccardi.[67][68][69]

DC Entertainment is developing the comics based on a publishing license provided to DC by King Midas World Entertainment. Comic Artists such as Andrea Mutti have been engaged to work on the comic property.[70][71][72][73]

A production for a feature film is in development in Hollywood based on the franchised character of Michael Tiranno, the Tyrant Knight. The film will be based on the blended adaptation of Black Scorpion and its predecessor, The Seven Sins, which both have also been licensed to DC Comics for comic books and graphic novels publications. In 2017, director Chuck Russell was attached to direct and help to write the screenplay for the film titled "The Seven Sins: Dawn of the Tyrant Knight".[74][75][76][77]

Other media properties

It was announced Boccardi created a new media property named Dark Light Dawn. The first book in the series has been announced for publication in North America by Macmillan Publishing Group on August 1, 2017. The book is written by Jon Land and created and owned by Boccardi. Inspired by recent geopolitical events, rising terrorism, and religious conflicts, the novel meshes a paranormal tale with a fresh take on the action horror thriller genre.[78][79][80]

References
  1. ""Io, un italiano a Las Vegas ho creato il nuovo Padrino"".
  2. Sneider, Jeff (9 June 2011). "DC Comics bags 'The Tyrant'".
  3. "Tyrant, eroe italoamericano dai fumetti al film".
  4. "Beanstalk Takes the Tyrant via License Magazine".
  5. “Accord Attained” via TD AMERITRADE Market research News - retrieved on 02/23/2018
  6. "Forging the Commerce of the Future" via International Business Times - retrieved on January 15, 2021".
  7. "The man who would be king".
  8. L'America Punta sull' online Italiano via Affari Italiani
  9. Biddle, RiShawn. "Long Live the King".
  10. "Nevada Business Journal Up Front Pg. 8" (PDF).
  11. Boccardi Capital intends to build something bigger than a Megaresort via Hotel Online
  12. 200 million bid for Desert Inn via The Las Vegas Sun 03/14/2000
  13. Wynn Begins Again with Desert Inn via Casino Journal
  14. Steve Wynn's Interest in the Desert Inn is Confirmed Casino City Times, retrieved 19 April 2000
  15. History Of Desert Inn
  16. Morningstar
  17. Boccardi Desert Inn Offer
  18. Desert Inn 50th Anniversary
  19. Steve Wynn Agrees to Buy Desert Inn for $270 Million
  20. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB104932802974338600.html Italian Investor Bids For Riviera Holdings Wall Street Journal, retrieved April 3, 2003
  21. Riviera Holdings Lawsuits via Gaming Today retrieved 01/02/2018
  22. Gaming News Brief via Las Vegas Sun retrieved on 02/01/2018
  23. Trump on a Roll via New York Post
  24. Consultants Hired
  25. Board rejects offer to sell Riviera Holdings Las Vegas Sun retrieved Aug 23, 2004
  26. Companies face shareholder lawsuits Archived January 14, 2016, at the Wayback Machine Adams Daily Report, retrieved July 9, 2003
  27. Boccardi Seeks Support for Bid For Riviera Ahead of Earnings Wall Street Journal, retrieved April 21, 2003
  28. Binkley, Christina (29 July 2003). "Developer Finds It's Not Easy Becoming a Mogul in 'Sin City'" – via www.wsj.com.
  29. Issues Facing Riviera Holdings via the Las Vegas Sun
  30. "In 'Tyrant,' creator aims to meld fiction, fact".
  31. "DC Comics acquires rights to prose antihero The Tyrant". 10 June 2011.
  32. "So, it's a novel AND comic book AND hotel-casino?".
  33. "Fabrizio Boccardi: la vita e le opere!".
  34. "Las Vegas Review-Journal Gaming Chips Column". 15 April 2001. Archived from the original on 1 September 2017. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  35. Visionary Investor Fabrizio Boccardi Interview via KNPR Radio Nevada retrieved on 06/13/2018
  36. Italian Investor Bids For Riviera Holdings Retrieved April 3, 2003
  37. Board rejects offer to sell Riviera Holdings Las Vegas Sun Times, retrieved Aug 23, 2004
  38. http://online.barrons.com/articles/SB108276156021592290
  39. "Riviera drops poison pill". 23 July 2003.
  40. "Firm Sued Over Buyout Offer". www.casinocitytimes.com.
  41. "Las Vegas Is Just A Page Away This Holiday Season With "The Tyrant" - Fulton County News".
  42. Tiempo, Casa Editorial El. "ODISEA DE UN ITALIANO EN POS DE LAS VEGAS".
  43. "Boccardi Capital Systems Appeals Decision to Dismiss Its Case - Bloom…". 17 August 2013. Archived from the original on 17 August 2013.
  44. Boccardi Capital Vs De Shaw Laminar Portfolios via Jural Index retrieved 12/31/2017
  45. "2nd Circ. Mucks Ex-Partner's Suit Over Casino Venture - Law360". www.law360.com.
  46. MORNINGSTAR
  47. BARRON'S
  48. http://www.rgtonline.com
  49. "Boccardi Capital Appeals Decision” via Leagle.com retrieved on 01/11/2018
  50. "Companies Settle Differences in Struggle Over 'Tyrant' - TVWeek". www.tvweek.com.
  51. "'Tyrant' Agreement Reached Between Twentieth Century Fox and King Midas World Entertainment". 21 July 2014.
  52. Tyrant Pact via MarketWatch
  53. "Fabrizio Boccardi's WealthIntel Signs LOI with TAS Group for Software Development". 15 June 2017.
  54. "Tyrant Interactive received a convertible loan of $1 million from Legion Capital via WALL STREET JOURNAL retrieved on ..." 15 Jan 2014.
  55. "TAS Group and WealthIntel to Disrupt Payment Industry". 16 July 2017.
  56. "Fabrizio Boccardi's Files Form D with SEC". 16 Jan 2018.
  57. "Fabrizio Boccardi's WealthIntel Signs Early Stage LOI with TAS Group". 15 June 2017.
  58. "Business Notes via VEGAS INC". 10 Aug 2016.
  59. "Scintilla Quantum Proceeds With Backing of Investor and Files International Patent Application on Its Proprietary Payment and Finance System Method". 6 January 2016.
  60. "Two New Directors Added to WealthIntel Advisory Board for W$T". 18 December 2018.
  61. "Businessman Fabrizio Boccardi bets big on Vegas". 5 April 2010.
  62. "'Seven Sins' aims to mix fiction with reality - USATODAY.com".
  63. A Sin-tillating Ride
  64. "In Tyrant Creator Aims To Meld Fiction Fact".
  65. Best Books 2008 Archived 2013-01-13 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved Dec 08, 2008
  66. The Seven Sins : the tyrant ascending - District of Columbia Public Library - retrieved on 10/28/2018
  67. ”The Seven Sins The Tyrant Ascending” via Fiction Database received 01/07/2018
  68. "Fabrizio Boccardi - Authors - Macmillan".
  69. "THE TYRANT ASCENDS VIA NOIR JOURNAL MAGAZINE RETRIEVED ON..." 8 April 2015.
  70. "'Black Scorpion: The Tyrant Reborn' Second Book in the Series of 'The Tyrant' Franchise, on Sale Everywhere".
  71. "In 'Tyrant,' creator aims to meld fiction, fact".
  72. Tyrant from Comics to Movies via II Giornale
  73. DC TO PUBLISH THE BATMAN OF LAS VEGAS via Bleeding Cool retrieved 12/30/2017
  74. Seven Sins coming to the big screen via Shock Ya 1/22/2010
  75. The Seven Sins the Tyrant Ascending in the Works via MovieWeb
  76. When Terrorists Attack Vegas Seven Sins
  77. Michael Tiranno the New Corleone? via SFGate
  78. "Dark Light: Dawn by Jon Land and created by Fabrizio Boccardi".
  79. "Creator and Producer Fabrizio Boccardi's Reinvention of the Supernatural Genre in Media Sparks Curiosity". www.broadwayworld.com.
  80. Rubinstein, Mark (2 August 2017). "'Dark Light: Dawn,' A Conversation with Jon Land and Fabrizio Boccardi".
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