Neil drama could affect casino plan
Rocker Vince Neil's latest drama may be derailing his efforts to get into the casino business.
Neil has been in talks to enter a partnership with veteran gaming executive Rich Brown, who is exploring a casino deal outside the Las Vegas market.
That's according to Ken Ciancimino, Las Vegas Hilton executive vice president of administration, who was in meetings with Neil and Brown on Thursday before Neil was allegedly involved in an altercation later that day with his former girlfriend and two others.
Alicia Jacobs, entertainment reporter at KSNV-TV, Channel 3, alleges Neil left her bruised after the Mötley Crüe frontman, while shouting obscenities, poked her and her friends, Wayne Newton's publicist Tricia McCrone and Las Vegas Sun writer John Katsilometes.
The alleged incident erupted as comedian Hal Sparks was opening his show at the Hilton's Shimmer Lounge. Brown was with Neil during the alleged incident.
Jacobs said she pressed battery charges against Neil.
She broke up with Neil shortly after he served 10 days in jail and 11 days under house arrest earlier this month. After numerous sightings of Neil partying, Jacobs blamed the split on his "decisions."
TMZ.com reported Saturday that Neil insists he didn't touch Jacobs and that he might file charges against her.
"Videotapes would easily prove that not true," Jacobs said, "and at least 10 people gave statements to Metro."
She added that security and Metro took photos of the alleged bruise.
Neil went to jail for a June drunken driving arrest after he partied at the Hilton, where he has a bar, Tres Rios Cantina, which features Mötley Crüe memorabilia.
Neil's criminal history, which includes a previous jail term for vehicular manslaughter, could be an issue if he pursues a gaming license.
"It depends on the deal," Ciancimino said. "If Vince gets involved to the extent that he needs a license, maybe. But he can do a licensing deal (with his name and image) that doesn't require a gaming license."
Ciancimino said the market Neil and Brown are eying is "east of Las Vegas."
There are rumblings that the casino deal would be in Colorado. Ciancimino hedged, "There's Colorado, Tunica (Miss.), Indiana, a bunch of places."
Asked why Neil was allowed to remain in the Hilton, at a table in the Tiempo Lounge with Ciancimino and Brown after the alleged run-in, Ciancimino said, "We'll handle it accordingly. Obviously, I wasn't happy with it. I told him, 'Go home or go to your room.' "
Neil's red Ferrari, which bears the license plate "WYLDSDE," was parked in the valet area, witnesses said.
Ciancimino said Neil has become "increasingly irritated about what's being written and tweeted about him. With the tragedy in Japan, wars and all this stuff in the world and people are focusing on where he's parking his car."
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Thursday's taping of "The Dennis Bono Show" at the South Point will be a tribute celebration to Scott O'Neil, Bono's sidekick for the past 11 years. O'Neil died onstage minutes into Thursday's taping in front of a full house estimated at 500.
SIGHTINGS
Britney Spears, shopping in the Playboy store at the Palms on Saturday with her boyfriend Jason Trawick. ... New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, in the audience at Spears' MTV taping/mini-concert on Friday at Rain (Palms). ... Lady Gaga, singing "Born This Way" during a surprise appearance on Thursday at Krave (Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood) . ... Paris Hilton, making a surprise appearance Friday at the Bartlett Elementary School's annual Sock Hop fundraiser with boyfriend Cy Waits. "Love all the poodle skirts, so cute," she tweeted. ... Sparks, joining Steel Panther on Friday at Ovation (Green Valley Ranch) in singing Mötley Crüe's song "Live Wire."
THE PUNCH LINE
"Gas prices are going crazy. In fact, ABC has a new show called 'Carpooling With the Stars.' " -- 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.
