Maloof squashes Palms sale rumors

That Palms-for-sale rumor is "100 percent untrue," and a local real estate broker got an earful for circulating it, says owner George Maloof.

The rumor surfaced earlier this week, and Maloof said he tracked down the source within a day.

"A local broker started it," said Maloof, who opened the Palms in November 2001. "She went out and started soliciting buyers on our behalf without talking to anyone in our company."

A strongly-worded legal letter was sent to the broker, Maloof said.

PRESIDENTIAL INVITE

Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine has a dinner date with presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Levine was bumped from his scheduled call-in with Mark & Mercedes, the morning team at KMXB-FM, 94.1, on Tuesday when Clinton's people asked to move up her interview.

Levine willingly rescheduled his interview for later in the show. When Clinton was told that Levine had yielded to the senator, she invited him to have dinner with her the next time he visits Washington.

Levine told Mark & Mercedes that he would break out his Yves Saint Laurent suit for the occasion.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

I hear former Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt received a call at home this week from Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani, offering her the position of heading up his campaign in Southern Nevada. ...

Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet walked away from the World Series of Poker's main event, forfeiting his $10,000 entry fee. His no-show Wednesday came a day after his participation in the tournament made headlines. He was "blinded" out of the event. He had a stack of $17,000, and when it was his turn to ante a blind, the dealer put the chips in until they ran out. Tocchet is on an indefinite leave of absence from the NHL team, where he was an assistant coach for Wayne Gretzky. He is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty in May to running a sports gambling ring.

MAY I RECOMMEND ...

The NBA Summer League ends this weekend with almost two dozen games today through Sunday at Cox Pavilion and Thomas & Mack Center. A single-day pass is $25 for adults and $15 for children 4-12. See the sports section for the schedule or go to www.NBA.com.

SIGHTINGS

NBA icon Elgin Baylor, chowing down at Salt Lick BBQ (Red Rock Resort) on Thursday night. ... Minnesota Timberwolves general manager Kevin McHale, on a golf cart at Rio Secco, the Rio's high-roller course, on Thursday. ... David Proval, who played Richie Aprile in "The Sopranos," being interviewed by host and former castmate Steve Schirripa for an upcoming episode of "Casino Cinema" on Spike TV in the casino at the Hard Rock Hotel. Proval was in town for what was to be almost a month of filming for "Baby O," a movie he wrote with his wife, Cheryl Meccariello. But the money ran out, and the production was shut down Monday. ... Deborah Gibson, chatting backstage with "Spamalot" lead John O'Hurley and other cast members Tuesday. Word is she's looking at some local possibilities. ... Clint Holmes, Kelly Clinton and Holmes' mother, Audrey, backstage with Danny Gans (Mirage) before the show Wednesday. ... P.J. Carlesimo, new head coach of the Seattle Sonics, in Michael's (South Point) on Tuesday with the franchise's new manager, Sam Presti. ... Illusionist Hans Klok, attending Penn & Teller's show Tuesday at the Rio.