Bovis sues Venetian again

Lehrer McGovern Bovis Inc. has sued the Venetian and several affiliates, seeking more than $13 million for work the construction company completed on a planned second phase of the Strip resort.

Bovis previously sued the Venetian for more than $146 million of work it and various subcontractors performed on the 3,000-suite resort. Venetian owner Sheldon Adelson has also sued Bovis, which oversaw construction of the facility, claiming Bovis mismanaged the project.

In its latest suit, Bovis claims it lent the Venetian and affiliates $8.5 million for preliminary work on the Lido, a planned 3,000-suite addition to the existing hotel-casino, and did work on the site in anticipation of being repaid.

Under the so-called "Lido agreement," Bovis alleges, the Venetian and Lido entities were to to repay $9.25 million no later than Dec. 31 but failed to do so.

The lawsuit also asserts that Bovis is entitled to a $12.9 million judgment against Venetian, Lido and Frontier Insurance Co., which issued a $19.4 million bond that resulted in the release of mechanics liens Bovis had filed against the resort.

The Venetian "bonded around" about $300 million of liens filed by Bovis and other contractors to remove the threat of foreclosure from the property.

The Bovis suit also seeks damages and attorneys fees and costs that would raise the amount above $13 million.

Venetian General Counsel David Friedman couldn't be reached for comment today.

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