Palms partners get in legal fight

Two major lawsuits surfaced Thursday, one pitting Palms resort partners George Maloof Jr. and Michael Morton of N9NE Group, and the other a default action by the former owner of Scores Las Vegas strip club against Rick's Cabaret International.

In the Palms dispute, filed Sept. 30 in Clark County District Court, Morton claims Maloof is wrongfully trying to exercise management and control rights.

The lawsuit says that on Sept. 22, Palms President Paul Pusateri ordered Morton to fire one of his executives, Andy Belmonti, who was involved in N9NE Group's wine bar restaurant venture with Wynn Las Vegas on Morton's behalf.

Maloof isn't disputing Morton's right to do other ventures, but contends Palms employees and assets were used to fund the Wynn project.

Morton refused to dismiss Belmonti. A day later, Pusateri accused Morton and Belmonti of breaching their fiduciary duties and had Belmonti barred from the Palms and its venues.

Maloof has been a partner with Morton and his N9NE Group investors since the Palms opened in November 2001.

Palms attorney Donald Campbell told the court Maloof didn't know discrimination complaints filed by Hispanic and black employees were settled for $460,000.

Campbell alleged that Morton and Belmonti are associated with a sexual harassment charge of "enormous proportions."

In the other lawsuit, D.I. Food and Beverage of Las Vegas, former owner of the adult entertainment cabaret Scores at 3355 Procyon St., claims Texas-based Rick's Cabaret International is in default of payment on the $19 million sale of Scores in April 2008.

Dennis DeGori, former owner of Scores, filed the papers last week. Rick's Cabaret has been in default for $2.4 million due Sept. 5. That would be the final payment to complete the deal.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

R&B star Ne-Yo will speak out against bullying in a panel discussion today at the Boys & Girls Club of Las Vegas at 2530 E. Carey Ave. in North Las Vegas. He is a local alumnus. ...

Rio headliner Penn Jillette and radio host Adam Carolla are speakers Saturday for the BlogWorld & New Media Expo at Mandalay Bay.

MAY I RECOMMEND

Ricardo's Mexican restaurant is going for El Grande of margaritas today to commemorate 30-plus years in Las Vegas. A tank will be filled with 7,800 gallons of pink-hued tequila and mixer to serve tens of thousands of 12-ounce margaritas to break the Guinness record. Pink is being used for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The party starts at 5 p.m. at 4930 W. Flamingo Road . Mayor Oscar Goodman will pour the last of the mixture to set the record.

SIGHTINGS

Jason Alexander and producer Adam Steck, dining Wednesday at Prime Steakhouse (Bellagio). Alexander is returning to Las Vegas next month with "The Donny Clay Experience" at the MGM Grand. ... Mike Tyson, seated with brothers Joe, Gavin and George Maloof at the Los Angeles Lakers-Sacramento Kings game Wednesday at the Thomas & Mack Center. Tyson, who had a memorable scene with a tiger in "The Hangover," told a Los Angeles TV reporter he has five tigers.

THE PUNCH LINE

"They're like the Osmonds with semiautomatic weapons." -- Jimmy Kimmel, on Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston's separate music video endeavors.

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