Those charges have been leveled by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, which charges that Maztec, which is part of Elizabeth, NJ-based Mazzocchi Wrecking Inc., has, as one of its shop stewards, a member of the DeCavalcante crime family. The DGE also charges that both Maztec president Grace Mazzocchi and operations manager Charles DiMaria have relationships with other alleged DeCavalcante crime figures.

In the latest action, the CCC has ruled that pre-demolition work must stop pending a hearing on the matter, currently scheduled for next Wednesday. General contractor Perini Corp., which is not directly involved in the dispute, plans to have construction on the new tower completed by the middle of 2004.

For its part, Maztec has issued a statement denying the allegations. The company was involved in the World Trade Center cleanup, as well as a number of other casino hotel projects in Atlantic City.