During October 1977, Summa was in negotiations with several prospective buyers for the Landmark, which had approximately 1,200 employees at the time. One interested buyer was a group of Chicago investors led by an attorney. Summa was also in negotiations to sell the Landmark for $12 million to Nick Lardakis, a tavern owner who lived in Akron, Ohio. Simultaneously, Summa was holding discussions with the Scott Corporation – a group of downtown Las Vegas entrepreneurs led by Frank Scott – which wanted to purchase the resort at a price of nearly $10 million. Lardakis' acquisition of the Landmark was rejected that month as he was unable to raise the necessary funds to make the purchase; according to Summa, Lardakis' terms were "unrealistic." The Chicago group made a $12 million offer, but Summa's board of directors favored the offer by Scott Corporation, which had no down payment and included a 20-year payout period, while the Chicago group was opposed to a long-term mortgage arrangement with Summa. The Chicago group noted that Summa officials repeatedly declined to let the group examine the Landmark's 1973 property appraisal. Other $12 million offers came from Las Vegas heiress JoAnn Seigal and Beverly Hills management consultant Charles Fink. Seigal also complained that Summa would not provide her with a property appraisal to base her negotiations.