Copperfield hires his dream team

Illusionist David Copperfield has hired a big gun in crisis management.

Copperfield joins a long list of high-profile celebrities who have turned to the Los Angeles-based firm Sitrick and Company for assistance in keeping public opinion in their favor.

Chief executive officer Mike Sitrick has been described as a "PR pit bull." He wrote the book "Spin: How to Turn the Power of the Press to Your Advantage."

His clients and their cases include: Rush Limbaugh (prescription pill addiction), Paris Hilton (jail), Halle Berry (hit-and-run charges), supermodel Naomi Campbell (assault charges), Delphi Corp. (bankruptcy), billionaire Ron Burkle (alleged extortion victim) and "Girls Gone Wild" creator Joe Francis, in jail on various charges.

Sitrick and Company will work with Copperfield attorney David Chesnoff, doing "whatever he needs and making sure the facts are out there," said Holly Baird, an associate in the firm.

A Seattle federal grand jury is investigating allegations that Copperfield raped and threatened a Washington state woman at his estate in the Bahamas, the Seattle Times reported.

The FBI reportedly confiscated digital camera equipment at Copperfield's Las Vegas warehouse and searched his backstage area at the MGM Grand.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Hmmm, what should we assume from this: Steve Wynn, spotted in London on Wednesday night with Andrew Lloyd Webber at "Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."

MAY I RECOMMEND ...

For a wide array of quality dim sum, China's version of tapas, try Orchids Garden, 5485 W. Sahara Ave.

We keep going back for the shrimp and barbecue pork dumplings, roast pork, Singapore noodles and custard tarts. It's open seven days a week, from 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

SIGHTINGS

Hilton, wearing a dress with black-and-white prison stripes and the words "Jail Bait" in orange lettering across her backside at LAX Nightclub (Luxor) for the Halloween party. ... Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore, dining at Little Buddha (Palms) on Thursday night during a break in the filming of "What Happens in Vegas" at the Palms Pool & Bungalows and Rain nightclub. ... Bruce Willis, enjoying dinner with a young lady in the wine room at Strip House (Planet Hollywood Resort). ... Also at LAX: Detroit Tigers slugger Gary Sheffield, actor/model Tyson Beckford, actor Frankie Muniz and illusionist Criss Angel. ... Comedy magician Nathan Burton and girlfriend Brittney Palmer, dressed as Planet Hollywood Resort headliner Hans Klok and assistant Pamela Anderson, at Amazing Johnathan's Halloween party. ... Adult entertainment star Tera Patrick, hosting Wednesday's second annual Taolloween party at Tao (Venetian). Patrick and her beau, actor/musician Evan Seinfeld, dined at Tao Asian Bistro before heading upstairs for the event. ... Rapper Paul Wall, performing Tuesday at the "Nightmare on 54th Street" Halloween party at Studio 54 (MGM Grand). He was joined by rappers Skinhead Rob and Mitchy Slick. ... Hilton, dining at Social House (Treasure Island) earlier Wednesday.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Joe Torre, formerly of the New York Yankees, signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Well, look at this way -- who wouldn't take earthquakes and wildfires over George Steinbrenner?" -- David Letterman

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.