Sunday, June 19, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM: Wilbanks buzz starts again at TI

Jennifer Wilbanks played blackjack at Treasure Island. Andre Agassi seen taking in "Mystere" with wife, son. Paul Anka spotted at "Le Reve" with Neil Sedaka.

Runaway bride Jennifer Wilbanks has 'em buzzing again at Treasure Island.

Dealers at the Strip casino are telling a story that could cast new light on her bogus kidnapping.

The story goes: During her stop in Las Vegas, Wilbanks was overheard trying to borrow money from table mates while playing blackjack at Treasure Island.

"She was offering a lot of money in return, like she knew she was going to have a lot of money real soon," said a spy.

The buzz started up again last week when it was announced that Wilbanks had signed a lucrative story rights deal that could be worth millions in book and film revenue.

Wilbanks, 32, vanished days before her wedding in Duluth, Ga., and ended up in Albuquerque, N.M., after a stop in Las Vegas.

She confessed that she had made up the abduction story and has since been sentenced to two years of probation, 120 hours of community service and continuing mental health treatment.

She recently told "Today Show" co-host Katie Couric that she was "very ashamed" and "felt so guilty for the people I have hurt."

"But at the same time, it's the best mistake I ever made. ... It allowed me to realize that I desperately needed help," she said.

She has agreed to pay $13,250 to the city of Duluth to defray overtime costs it spent on searches, and an additional $2,550 to the sheriff's office.

The Scene and Heard

A local female poker whiz is fast gaining a reputation for her diva-esque demands at Las Vegas nightclubs. Her manager has been sending advance word to nightclubs listing her needs: a reserved table, a bottle of champagne and an escort back and forth to the limo. "The only time we had that many demands it was the Secret Service," said a club executive.

Sightings

Andre Agassi, who pulled out of Wimbledon with a bad back last week, taking in "Mystere" (Treasure Island) with his wife, Steffi Graf, and their son, Jaden Gil, on Friday. ... Paul Anka and Neil Sedaka at Friday's performance of "Le Reve" (Wynn Las Vegas). ... Chef Kerry Simon, celebrating his 50th birthday party with pals at Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare (Wynn) and later at the Wynn nightclub, LaBete. In the crowd: skateboard icon Tony Hawk; Planet Hollywood's Robert Earl; Robin Leach; salon operator Michael Boychuck; strip club honcho Rick Rizzolo and harem; Hard Rock Hotel honcho Kevin Kelley and his wife, Terri; David Walzog, chef of The Country Club at Wynn; fellow chefs Kim Canteenwalla and Toby Peach from Simon Kitchen & Bar at the Hard Rock Hotel; and Wynn exec Elizabeth Blau, who organized the bash. ... Defense attorney David Chesnoff, who crafted Britney Spears' quickie annulment, in a cameo role as a bad-ass biker with ultimate fighting champion Chuck Liddell in "Vegas Baby," which premiered Friday at the CineVegas Film Festival at the Brenden Theatres (Palms). A ton of local actors shine in the Insomnia Entertainment-produced film, but the ending was a bit of a stretch.

The Punch Line

"Tony Bennett doesn't appear here until next week (but) his toupee is already here." -- Rita Rudner, referring to the recent windy conditions during her gig at the Food and Beverages directors gala at the Wynn on Friday.

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com