group for $500,000 a month. The tax commission was concerned about the high rental cost, viewing it as an attempt by Cornero to get around his lack of a gaming license. Nevertheless, the group was licensed in June 1955, at which point the Stardust had 2,700 stockholders. A list of these individuals was to be provided to the Nevada Gaming Control Board for final approval, but this did not occur as scheduled, thus delaying the Stardust's planned opening on August 1, 1955. The opening was pushed back a month. Cornero died suddenly on July 31, 1955, while gambling at the nearby Desert Inn resort. His death was considered suspicious, and an investigation was soon opened. Tony's brother, Louis Cornero, was named as the president and general manager of the Stardust. Louis Cornero was the mayor of St. Helena, California, and he only planned to remain with the Stardust until legal issues could be resolved. Construction shut down on August 1, 1955, amid a dispute with several labor unions. Work resumed the following month, and there were plans to have the resort opened by Christmas. Frank Hofues, a Nevada hotel owner, agreed to lease the hotel rooms in November 1955. He also agreed to loan the project $2.5 million, with completion now expected by May 1, 1956. However, a class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of shareholders, challenging the loan by Hofues. Shareholders had been told by Tony Cornero that the resort could be completed for $4.5 million. The suit sought to have the Stardust placed into receivership, stating that borrowing an additional $2.5 million would not be in shareholders' best interest. Hofues died shortly thereafter, and it was later alleged that he had failed to refinance the Stardust as agreed. However, attorneys representing the Hofues estate said that his agreement had been terminated by the Stardust board of directors in June 1956. The Stardust did not open as scheduled. In July 1956, creditors filed a petition to reorganize the resort, alleging that it owed $2 million in debt. The Stardust was 80-percent complete at the time, and it was alleged that there was no money left to finish construction, which would take another $1.2 million. A former member of the tax commission was appointed as receiver. Louis Cornero sought to regain control of the project, arguing that reorganization was not necessary to acquire construction financing. He also said that