History Presentation - The 1980 Bombing/Extortion of Harvey’s Hotel & Casino

Join retired FBI Special Agent and Bomb Technician, and retired Tahoe-Douglas Bomb Squad Captain Danny Danihel, as they recount the 1980 bombing/extortion of Harvey’s Casino at Lake Tahoe.

On August 26, 1980, in the early morning hours, a large and very sophisticated improvised explosive device (IED) was wheeled into the casino by two men. A ransom letter left at the scene described the IED as containing 1,000 pounds of TNT and so sensitive the device “can never be dismantled or disarmed without causing an explosion. Not even by the creator.” The letter provided detailed ransom instructions for delivery of three million dollars by helicopter at midnight.

This is the story of efforts by bomb experts and the FBI to render safe the IED, deliver the demanded ransom, process the bombing crime scene and identify/arrest the perpetrators before another similar extortion could be attempted.

This presentation will take place on April 5, 2026 from 1:00pm-2:15pm at Minden Mill Distilling. It’s free to attend, provided you have reserved a ticket. Tickets will become available starting March 17, 2026. Spots are very limited, so reserve your ticket early. You can find out more and get tickets to this and other events by going to Minden Mill’s official website and selecting “Book an Experience” or clicking here.