Television talk show host Morton Downey Jr....

Television talk show host Morton Downey Jr. says he’s clinched the deal to buy Del Webb’s Claridge Casino Hotel in Atlantic City N.J., but Claridge officials refused to confirm that claim late last week. Downey said his attorneys were notified of the acceptance and immediately began drawing up “a definitive contact” for the purchase. Neither Claridge officials nor their investment banking firm, Oppenheimer & Co., agreed with Downey’s assessment. “The Claridge board of directors has not acted to accept any offer for the purchase of the Claridge, and when it does, we will make it official,” said Glenn Lillie, a Claridge spokesman.