Angel denies even talking to Valentino

The publicist for Criss Angel rebuts claims by two magicians who said the Luxor headliner used foul language while ordering his bodyguards to evict them from the hotel.

In an e-mail Friday, Noelle Keshishian of the Los Angeles public relations firm PMK-BNC said, "The story is completely untrue. While that guy may have been at the Luxor, there was absolutely no interaction between the two."

Val Valentino and fellow magician Ron Jones told Vegas Confidential on Thursday that security asked them to leave the hotel at Angel's request after they arrived at a "Mindfreak" party Angel was hosting at Luxor's Liquidity lounge on Wednesday.

Instead of exiting the Luxor, Valentino and Jones said they stopped at another lounge. As they were leaving, they coincidentally ran into Angel and his entourage.

At that point, Valentino and Jones contend they heard Angel shout "get that piece of (expletive) out of here."

Valentino, reached Friday, stuck by his account.

"There certainly are witnesses. Security was all around him (Angel) as they were parading to LAX."

"It just happened that we were headed in the opposite direction. We didn't realize it was him until he made the comment. It was just coincidental."

He said Jones snapped a photo "of me moving out of the way right at the moment (Angel) blurted the obscenities."

RISING STAR

Former Las Vegan Trevor Kuhn, a semi-finalist in the Review-Journal's Image Model Search, needs your vote.

Now a professional actor based in New York City, he's participating in a nationwide online contest in hopes of landing a walk-on role in "Mad Men" Season 5.

Kuhn attended Clark High School where he played the lead character, Ponyboy, in "The Outsiders."

He was student body president at the University of Nevada, Reno.

You can vote at http://madmencastingcall.amctv.com/browse/detail/55F27R.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

More departures from KSNV-TV, Channel 3: veteran reporter Steve Crupi, morning anchor Maria Silva and assignment editor Courtney Holmes. Crupi, contacted on Friday, confirmed he resigned 10 days ago. "I have no firm plans. After 20 years of local news reporting, I'm ready to take a break and perhaps do something new," he said. Silva was laid off Friday and Holmes also resigned.

SIGHTINGS

Jermaine O'Neal of the Boston Celtics, digging into mozzarrella squares and meatloaf Thursday at Republic Kitchen & Bar at the Beltway and Eastern. It was his third night in the restaurant, which opened 10 days ago. ... Comedian Mark Curry of ABC's "Hangin' with Mr. Cooper" and HBO's Comedy Def Jam, having lunch at Grimaldi's Pizzeria in Boca Park on Friday. He's appearing at the Hilton. ... Dave Chappelle, dining at Nobu (Hard Rock Hotel) on Wednesday. ... Elton Brand of the Philadelphia 76ers dined at Sushi Roku (Forum Shops at Caesars) with friends.

THE PUNCH LINE

"The 2010-11 NFL season kicked off tonight in New Orleans -- opposite 'Project Runway,' making tonight a great night to find out if your husband is gay." -- Jimmy Kimmel

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