Money, reputations behind fight between two prominent women

The Las Vegas upper crust already knows the story about Donna Ruthe slapping former first lady Dema Guinn at the reception following Maddy Graves' funeral.

The two prominent women provide contradictory versions about their foul-mouthed altercation at the Southern Highlands Golf Course Country Club on Nov. 9.

Dema Guinn says Donna Ruthe was the aggressor. Donna Ruthe says she was defending herself.

The widow of former Gov. Kenny Guinn filed a police report the next day accusing Donna Ruthe and her husband, Chuck Ruthe, of two misdemeanors -- battery and threats against a person.

Dema Guinn, 72, on Thursday obtained a temporary restraining order against the Ruthes, which has been granted for 30 days.

Late Friday, the Ruthes' attorney filed a motion to dissolve the temporary restraining order, which limits Donna, 54, and Chuck, 76, from getting within 100 feet of Dema Guinn. Rather than let it go, they're prepared to defend their reputations and do battle in court.

Not for the first time.

In April 2009, the Ruthes sued Jeff Guinn, Dema's son, accusing the hard-money lender of mismanaging millions of dollars of investments they made with his company, Aspen Financial Services. He has countersued. A trial is set for 2012.

A recent letter from the FBI to some of his investors confirmed there is an investigation into Aspen Financial Services. Guinn contends he did nothing wrong but that the FBI is obligated to investigate allegations.

The hostility between Jeff Guinn and the Ruthes is no secret. The couple appeared on television and accused the governor's son of fraud. The incident at the funeral reception is the first time the rage over lost money turned physical.

Dema Guinn was standing at the reception. "All of a sudden, someone bumped me," she said. When she saw it was Donna Ruthe, a real estate broker and member of the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners, she told Ruthe not to talk to her. "She started calling me every name and I couldn't take it anymore. I called her the same names she called me," Dema Guinn said, admitting her language was just as obscene as the other woman's.

Each claims the other said nasty things involving oral sex and drug use involving the other and/or their husbands. Each contends the other woman is crazy. Each says the other woman started it.

Upset, Donna Ruthe returned to her home nearby and described the confrontation to her husband, the former president of Boyd Gaming and longtime real estate investor who has Parkinson's disease. They returned to the country club.

In separate interviews in their respective homes Thursday, each agreed there were more vile words exchanged, while not agreeing on what was said.

Dema said Donna slapped her face. "I started crying and screaming. I was scared to death."

Donna described it as more of a backward hand motion. "I was protecting myself from her pushing me."

Dema said she never touched Donna.

Donna's memory is clear on every other point but one. Did she hit Dema in the face? "I can't tell you, I can't remember," she said.

Dema said Reno businessman David Thompson broke it up and could confirm what she said.

Donna said he didn't break it up, that she walked away.

Thompson did not return phone calls Thursday and Friday.

Donna Ruthe presented herself well during our interview, weeping at times, as did Dema Guinn.

Money lost and reputations vilified are behind this outburst at the funeral reception.

Kenny Guinn would have been mortified and furious.

That's certainly how the two women feel -- the one thing they agree upon.

Jane Ann Morrison's column appears Monday, Thursday and Saturday. E-mail her at Jane@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0275. She also blogs at lvrj.com/blogs/morrison.