Site offers reason for FBI’s scrutiny

The FBI's interest in David Copperfield's digital camera system and computer hard drive might be tied to "a system for picking up women," according to the celebrity Web site TMZ.com.

Copperfield came under scrutiny last week when the FBI raided his Las Vegas warehouse in a case connected to allegations of sexual assault of a Seattle woman.

Citing sources, TMZ reported Tuesday that the MGM Grand headliner chooses women out of his audiences and that assistants later take them backstage, where they are photographed with a digital camera and asked questions.

They are told they might be featured in Copperfield's show when he comes to their city, TMZ reported.

A woman has told authorities that she was sexually assaulted by Copperfield at his home in the Bahamas.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

UNLV film and theater professor Clarence Gilyard, who co-starred in "Matlock" and "Walker, Texas Ranger," has won a prestigious award from the Black Theater Alliance. He received the Sidney Poitier Award last month for best actor for his work in "My Children! My Africa!" at the Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theatre in Chicago. The play is scheduled to go on to New York. ...

Happy birthday to Las Vegas gaming legend Jackie Gaughan, who turns 87 today. He was born 15 U.S. presidents ago. Warren G. Harding won the presidency about a week later in the first U.S. presidential election in which women were allowed to vote, and the first radio broadcast aired in November 1920. Cake and champagne will be served from 1 to 7 p.m. at the lounge next to Roberta's Steakhouse at El Cortez, which he bought in 1961. ...

Pamela Anderson, through her publicist, Cindy Guagenti, provided a status report Tuesday on her home in fire-ravaged Malibu: "My house is fine, so far. We are all here in Vegas, the kids and the dogs and watching the news, hoping everyone is safe!" ...

The Food Network's "Dinner: Impossible" series opens on Halloween with an episode featuring a lineup of Las Vegas magicians. The episode, which airs at 10 p.m., was taped here in August during the MAGIC Live! Convention at The Orleans. Sixteen celebrity magicians are served "illusionary food" prepared for them by celebrity chef Robert Irvine and special guest star Neil Patrick Harris. The local magicians include Siegfried Fischbacher, Lance Burton, Mac King, Rick Thomas, Hans Klok, Jeff Hobson and Jason Byrne. ...

Las Vegas impressionist Rick Michel is back in town with performances Thursday and Saturday at Bugsy's, 6145 W. Sahara, from 7 to 11 p.m. Check out the musicians backing him: pianist Greg Bosler was Patti Page's musical director, Brace Phillips played with Dean Martin for 10 years, and drummer Bob Chmel is with Frank Sinatra Jr.

SIGHTINGS

Lisa Ling, co-host of ABC's "The View," Oprah Winfrey show correspondent and host of National Geographic Channel's "Explorer," shopping Monday at the Hard Rock Retail store. ... Actor Ralph Fiennes, purchasing Terra boots this past weekend at the Donald J Pliner store in Forum Shops at Caesars. ... Actor and comedian Drew Carey, trying his luck Sunday at the gaming tables at the Hard Rock Hotel. ... Rick Salomon, Anderson's new hubby, playing in the Caesars Palace Poker Classic on Monday with the big boys, poker legends Phil Laak, Scotty Nguyen and Scott Fischman. ... Jeff Beacher and Danny Masterson of "That '70s Show" at the Beauty Bar on Monday, checking out some Los Angeles-based bands. ... Longtime Las Vegas chef Gustav Mauler, celebrating his birthday with friends at Martinis, 1205 S. Fort Apache, on Monday.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Talking dog, speaks 4 languages. Only $50." -- From Jay Leno's classified ads

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