Former Rosemont casino bidder killed in Michigan bike crash

One of the men who attempted to build a casino in Rosemont more than a decade ago was killed Monday while riding his bicycle in southwestern Michigan.

Kevin F. Flynn, 46, of Chicago, was killed when he was struck from behind by a car driven by a 67-year-old woman, according to police reports and a spokesman from Flynn’s company, Emerald Ventures, Inc.

The crash occurred around 5 p.m. Monday near Harbert, Mich., Chikaming Township police said. The crash remains under investigation and no citations have been issued, authorities said.

Flynn was riding his bike alone near his vacation home when he was struck, according to authorities.

Flynn, along with his now-deceased father, attempted to build a casino in Rosemont in the late 1990s and early 2000s before having the project shut down by the Illinois Gaming Board, which accused Flynn’s company of lying to regulators about investors and other key issues they were required to be open about. The gaming board also accused Flynn’s company of using construction contractors with mob ties. Emerald disputed the gaming board’s findings.

Emerald had also sunk a reported $25 million into construction at the Rosemont casino site without securing the gaming board’s approval, another bone of contention that led to the project’s downfall.

Flynn was also known for his 2009 investment in the bankruptcy buyout of the Chicago Sun-Times. Sun-Times officials reported that the investment was sold in 2011.

Funeral arrangements are pending.