Jeff German

Story Archive

Judge rules against federal government in Crazy Horse Too case: Thursday, June 26, 2008
Ruse gets ‘flight risk’ pass to freedom: With concocted story, bribery suspect slips authorities’ grip; Thursday, June 26, 2008; A little leniency from a federal magistrate and a simple lie were all it took for an international defense contractor to elude justice in Las Vegas.
Metro has suspect in courthouse graffiti case: Thursday, June 26, 2008; It didn’t take long for the Metro Police gang unit to identify a suspect in the graffiti outbreak at the Regional Justice Center.
Federal judge won’t rule on Crazy Horse Too fate until later this week: Monday, June 23, 2008; U.S. District Judge Philip Pro refused late this afternoon to order the U.S. Marshals Service to seek a temporary liquor license from the Las Vegas City Council to operate the Crazy Horse Too.
Crazy Horse Too sale depends on whether it can open in a week: Federal court hearing today to address liquor license deadline; Monday, June 23, 2008; After two years of failed efforts to sell the Crazy Horse Too, the fate of the notorious topless club — and the $29 million in debt that is supposed to paid off by the sale — remains uncertain heading into an 11th-hour showdown in federal court this afternoon.
Prosecutors happy to give feds first crack at Rezko: Corruption case sentencing takes precedence; Sunday, June 15, 2008; Clark County prosecutors aren’t in a hurry to get Chicago political insider Antoin “Tony” Rezko back to Las Vegas to face felony fraud charges stemming from his failure to pay $472,275 in Strip gambling debts.
Trial to tell whether money was theirs, bank’s: Branch managers allegedly stole it in China, lost $12 million in Vegas; Saturday, June 14, 2008; A federal racketeering trial stemming from the alleged embezzlement of $400 million from China’s state-run bank is delving into the secretive and high-powered world of Strip high rollers.
Courts, cops won’t abide in-your-face: Restroom graffiti at Justice Center sparks hunt; Wednesday, June 11, 2008; Even the tightly secured heart of the valley’s justice system is not safe from gang graffiti.
Lawsuit: Rizzolo is hiding millions: Friday, June 6, 2008; A Kansas City-area couple are suing former Crazy Horse Too owner Rick Rizzolo, alleging he is hiding assets that could be used to pay them $9 million he has owed them for more than a year.
Aryan Warriors threaten violence: Friday, June 6, 2008; The Aryan Warriors, a white supremacist gang facing federal racketeering charges in Las Vegas, have always been considered one of the state’s most violent criminal groups.
Lawyers argue over whether Desai waived right to silence: Tuesday, June 3, 2008; Dr. Dipak Desai and other physicians associated with the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada have threatened to assert their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination if forced to submit to early fact-finding depositions for a massive lawsuit in District Court.
Rezko hires attorney in attempt to stifle warrant: Lawyer will try to get DA to to drop charges for payments, sources say; Friday, May 30, 2008; Tony Rezko, an indicted Chicago political insider tied to Democratic presidential front-runner Barack Obama, has hired a high-profile Las Vegas attorney to try to quickly quash a warrant for his arrest in Clark County. The attorney, Richard Wright, declined to comment Thursday.
Fundraiser faces arrest in multiple gaming debts: Donor’s ties to Obama were scrutinized; Thursday, May 29, 2008; A Las Vegas judge has issued a felony arrest warrant for a politically connected Chicago businessman whose ties to Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama have become an issue in the campaign.
Buffalo Jim death ruled accidental; cocaine contributed to death: Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Pacman pays debts; case to be dropped: Saturday, May 24, 2008; Under the threat of arrest, suspended NFL player Adam “Pacman” Jones paid his gambling debts to Caesars Palace on Friday. His Las Vegas attorney delivered a $21,625 check to the district attorney’s office, bringing a quick halt to the criminal case.
Pacman pays debt; D.A. dropping criminal case: Friday, May 23, 2008
Gambling debt chases Pacman Jones: Clark County DA seeks felony arrest warrant for suspended NFL player; Friday, May 23, 2008; The district attorney’s office is seeking a felony arrest warrant for suspended NFL player Adam “Pacman” Jones for failing to repay $20,000 in gambling debts to Caesars Palace. Chief Deputy District Attorney Bernie Zadrowski, who runs the bad check unit, forwarded the request, along with a two-count criminal complaint charging Jones with fraud and theft, to Justice of the Peace Joe Bonaventure on Thursday.
Barkley settles up with DA: Criminal case against NBA legend to be dropped; Thursday, May 22, 2008; District Attorney David Roger is closing the book on the Charles Barkley case, leaving Barkley one workbook away from putting an embarrassing gambling debt completely behind him.
Prosecutors closing the case against Charles Barkley: Wednesday, May 21, 2008; Charles Barkley wired an additional $40,000 today to the Clark County district attorney's bad check unit, effectively putting an end to his $400,000 gambling debt dispute with Wynn Las Vegas.
Wynn says he was obligated to try to recoup debt: Barkley pays casino back, but his case isn’t closed until county collects its fees; Wednesday, May 21, 2008; Steve Wynn has some advice for Charles Barkley. “He has to pay attention to his business like the rest of us in this world,” Wynn told the Sun on Tuesday. “Because we’re a celebrity, we just don’t get to ignore people.”
Taxi regulator fought for, got, cameras in area cabs: Tuesday, May 20, 2008; To those who worked with him, Richard Land will be remembered as a man who regulated Southern Nevada’s taxicab industry with a passion matched by few of his predecessors. Land died May 13 following a bout with liver cancer. He was 76.
Barkley says he’s repaid debt; DA hasn’t seen check: Tuesday, May 20, 2008; On his pregame NBA show Monday evening, Charles Barkley told the show’s host he has paid back the $400,000 he owed Wynn Las Vegas. Immediately after Barkley’s assertions, District Attorney David Roger said: “We have no evidence to suggest that he has made any payments."
Suspended judge can’t even get out of jury duty: Halverson has hearing next month on charges of improper judicial conduct; Saturday, May 17, 2008; Suspended District Judge Elizabeth Halverson returned to the Regional Justice Center on Friday — for jury duty.
Barkley says he’ll repay Wynn gambling debt: Friday, May 16, 2008; Charles Barkley said Thursday he will repay $400,000 in gambling markers he owes the Wynn Las Vegas, but he didn’t tell the right people.
The Wynn sues Barkley, claims $400,000 gambling debts unpaid: NBA legend, a self-described gambling addict, will have a chance to repay; Thursday, May 15, 2008; Wynn Las Vegas filed a lawsuit in District Court on Wednesday to force former National Basketball Association star Charles Barkley to pay back $400,000 in gambling markers the casino alleges it extended him last year.
Desai, colleagues may take the Fifth, stalling lawsuits for years: Wednesday, May 14, 2008; As if the massive case weren’t complex enough, the first lawsuits over the hepatitis outbreak that health officials linked to the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada are facing another major obstacle.
Clinic patients’ choice: Recourse or privacy: Lawyers for endoscopy center reveal the prying questions they plan to ask; Saturday, May 10, 2008; Hundreds of plaintiffs suing over Southern Nevada’s hepatitis C scare could wind up victims of the court system, as the massive litigation embarks on a course destined to pry into their personal lives.
Adelson won’t relinquish fight to block Palazzo club: Mogul moves to reverse order allowing partners to resume construction; Wednesday, May 7, 2008; Nightclub operators Marc Packer and Richard Wolf have had less than a month to savor a hard-fought legal victory over their landlord, casino mogul Sheldon Adelson.
State agent quits amid missing evidence inquiry: Friday, May 2, 2008; A veteran state agent who spearheaded the criminal investigation of Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki has announced his resignation amid an internal inquiry into the disappearance of large quantities of drugs and guns from a state evidence vault in Fallon.
Sands attorney’s arsenal includes name-calling: He spars openly with counsel representing Adelson’s accuser; Wednesday, April 30, 2008; Old-fashioned courtroom posturing has turned into nasty verbal sparring between Houston lawyer Rusty Hardin and Las Vegas attorney Jim Pisanelli in the high-stakes legal battle over Sheldon Adelson’s gaming empire in Macau.
Buyers sign $30 million deal for topless club: Out-of-state Crazy Horse Too purchasers formed company last week, their attorney says; Thursday, April 24, 2008; After months of negotiations with several suitors, the federal government finally has buyers for the Crazy Horse Too.
A mogul's softer side: Sheldon Adelson plies his charm, but can’t suppress combative streak; Saturday, April 19, 2008; Sheldon Adelson was forced into public view this week, providing a courtroom glimpse of the casino tycoon not offered in any annual report or official biography. Adelson, chairman of the Las Vegas Sands Corp., viewed by his industry brethren as a ruthless, combative iconoclast, used the opportunity to cut a sympathetic, almost folksy portrait of himself.
Trial outs Sands’ dealings for Macau: Adelson defending the license approval process against claim on profit; Thursday, April 17, 2008; The biggest players in the gaming business have long wondered exactly how Sheldon Adelson’s company won one of three lucrative casino licenses in 2002 to operate in Macau. It was the deal of a lifetime — one that made Adelson one of the world’s richest men and spawned an Asian gaming frontier richer than the Las Vegas Strip and evolving to adult size in one-tenth the time.
Mystery woman tells cops of apparent seizure: Police: ‘Lisa’ says she was with Barrier, failed to get help; Thursday, April 17, 2008; A woman who was with “Buffalo” Jim Barrier the night he died in a Boulder Highway motel room has told Metro Police that he appeared to suffer a seizure, so she left the premises, Capt. Randy Montandon said Wednesday.
Police: No evidence ‘Buffalo’ Jim was killed: Rizzolo enemy in long-running feud seen registering at motel alone; Tuesday, April 15, 2008; Metro Police have gathered evidence about the death of “Buffalo” Jim Barrier that appears to dispel claims by his family and close friends that he died as a result of foul play.
Adelson not likely to cut losses in legal fight with club operators: Wednesday, April 9, 2008; Nightclub operators Marc Packer and Richard Wolf are finding out what happens when you stir up the fury of the third-richest man in the nation.
"Buffalo" Jim found dead in hotel room: Monday, April 7, 2008; “Buffalo” Jim Barrier, a colorful wrestling promoter and auto mechanic who had a running feud with former Crazy Horse Too owner Rick Rizzolo, has died.
IRS casino nightclub probe likely to go ‘as high up as possible’: Wednesday, April 2, 2008; Former Internal Revenue Service agents expect the federal agency’s tax evasion probe at Pure and LAX nightclubs on the Strip to spread to the casino partners that share revenue with the clubs.
CSN instructor’s widow arrested in ’06 killing: Stephanie Thomas second suspect in man’s slaying; Tuesday, April 1, 2008; Nearly two years after College of Southern Nevada instructor Larry Thomas disappeared, Henderson Police have arrested his wife in his slaying.
Gaming regulators to review club deals: Regulators concerned about effects of reported criminal behavior on casino industry; Thursday, March 27, 2008; Amid an Internal Revenue Service investigation and media scrutiny of two of the Strip’s most popular nightclubs, state gaming regulators are launching an industrywide review of the lucrative business dealings between casinos and their nightclub partners.
Veterans, Nellis personnel being checked for hepatitis: Thursday, March 20, 2008; Two local veterans who were treated at the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada have tested positive for hepatitis C, Veterans Affairs officials reported.
A little late, witness in ‘show and tell’ figure’s trial recants his testimony: Woman convicted decades ago is already out of prison; Thursday, March 20, 2008; For nearly 22 years, Sandy Shaw has been known as the “show and tell” killer.
Mistrial declared in federal trial of lawyer Noel Gage: Tuesday, March 18, 2008; Mistrial declared in federal trial of lawyer Noel Gage
After a week of deliberation, a jury was unable to agree on a verdict in the federal conspiracy and fraud trial of lawyer Noel Gage.
Boggs faces more campaign finance scrutiny: State subpoenas prompted by reported payments to attorney, official says; Tuesday, March 18, 2008; State agents have issued grand jury subpoenas in a continuing investigation into whether former Clark County Commissioner Lynette Boggs misappropriated campaign funds.
Records suggest club kingpin has violent side: Ex-wives, ex-employee have sought protection in court from Steve Davidovici; Sunday, March 16, 2008; If Steve Davidovici is trying to find out who got angry enough to call the IRS on his Las Vegas nightclub operation, he will be making a long list. The Las Vegas man at the center of the federal investigation at two Strip nightclubs has a history of violence against lovers, employees and club patrons, according to lawsuits and protective orders stretching back more than a decade. All the while, Davidovici, steeped in mystery, was building a nightlife empire — culminating with Pure, the most successful nightclub in America.
Former commissioner's son, daughter-in-law indicted: Friday, March 14, 2008; Brian P. Atkinson-Turner, the son of former Clark County Commissioner, Yvonne Atkinson Gates, and his wife, Kathryn O’Gara, have been arrested on a federal tax evasion charges, U.S. Attorney Gregory A. Brower announced.
Two indicted in mortgage fraud scheme: Thursday, March 13, 2008; A Las Vegas real estate broker and her husband have been indicted by a federal grand jury in a massive mortgage fraud scheme involving 227 properties throughout the valley worth $107 million.
Looking the other way: Experts say they should have monitored the ‘avalanche of money’ flowing through clubs; Sunday, March 9, 2008; Casino companies should have known about the huge amounts of cash washing through nightclubs on their properties long before the Internal Revenue Service began investigations of two of Las Vegas’ most popular clubs, say former gaming executives and others familiar with the industry.
Nightclub nightmare costs couple a bundle: Couple gets eye-opening — and wallet emptying — view of what goes on in one of the hottest nightclubs on the Vegas Strip; Sunday, March 9, 2008; Come with John and Tina Henderson as they take you through the powerfully expensive night they spent last month at LAX nightclub in Luxor. Warning: It is not for the faint of wallet.
Rizzolo in halfway house blocks from club he owned: He’s back from L.A. to serve final month for tax evasion; Thursday, March 6, 2008; Former Crazy Horse Too owner Rick Rizzolo checked into a federal halfway house Tuesday night in Las Vegas to serve the remaining month of a 366-day sentence for tax evasion.