Man beaten backstage of ‘Thunder From Down Under’ files suit

The man accused of robbing male dancers of “Thunder From Down Under” has filed a lawsuit that claims he was the actual victim on March 18.

Joey Kadmiri, 25, is representing himself in the civil case, filed Wednesday in Clark County District Court. The defendants include the Excalibur and the talent booking agency SPI Entertainment Inc.

The lawsuit, printed neatly by hand, claims the casting crew of the male revue, SPI Entertainment staff and Excalibur’s security “all worked to cover the crime scene.”

“They claimed I attacked and robbed them,” Kadmiri wrote.

The lawsuit claims Kadmiri was beaten for 20 minutes on March 18 at the Excalibur by employees of SPI Entertainment and “Thunder From Down Under.” It also claims hotel security destroyed or concealed video of the attack.

After being beaten and robbed, according to the lawsuit, Kadmiri was taken to University Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.

Penny Levin, spokeswoman for “Thunder From Down Under,” declined to comment on the lawsuit.

“Since it is pending litigation, we will let the legal process take its course,” she said.

Mary Hynes, spokeswoman for MGM Resorts International, which owns the Excalibur, also declined to comment.

The lawsuit claims Kadmiri has had cramps, flashbacks, blackouts, difficulty breathing, memory loss, headaches, “extreme anxiety” and pain in his jaw since the incident. The document also claims he suffers from depression.

Kadmiri is seeking $300 million in monetary damages for “emotional, physical and mental damage,” $300 million in compensatory damages for defamation of character and “inability to get employment,” and $900 million in punitive damages.

Prosecutors claim Kadmiri sneaked backstage at the Excalibur show on March 18 and rifled through the performers’ dressing room.

After the dancers confronted him, Kadmiri pulled out a gun and fired a shot during a scuffle, prosecutors said. No one was struck by the bullet.

Prosecutors said Kadmiri was caught backstage wearing two pairs of underwear that belonged to the dancers.

Kadmiri, who is being held at the Clark County Detention Center, faces attempted murder and other charges in the case.

In May, Kadmiri was deemed competent to stand trial. Two months later, another judge declared a mistrial after a juror reported seeing a television news report about the case and said some jurors had discussed “gray areas.”

In September, Kadmiri’s new lawyer asked for time to review reports from two doctors who found Kadmiri fit to stand trial. Kadmiri’s next hearing in the criminal case is scheduled for Feb. 27.

Contact reporter Carri Geer Thevenot at cgeer@reviewjournal.com or 702-384-8710. Find her on Twitter: @CarriGeer.