Publicist: Newton didn’t see papers
Wayne Newton's publicist says a process server failed in his attempt to deliver legal documents to the Tropicana headliner Saturday.
"Never happened ... completely false," said Trish McCrone, who said she was with Newton during the pre-show meet-and-greet session.
Sources told Vegas Confidential that a young black man waited in line. After reaching the front, he announced "Mr. Newton, Las Vegas loves you," to applause from the meet-and-greet attendees, and then served him with the summons.
McCrone acknowledged she saw the young man in question at the gathering, which attracted about 60 to 80 fans, but Newton "was never handed anything. The papers hit the back of one of Wayne's security" as Newton headed backstage through a theater entrance, she said. "He never saw it or has any idea what it was. I thought it was something for an autograph."
McCrone noted that security did approach the man, "but everybody's tickets are always checked. That's nothing new. They're not trying to ward anything off."
The Tropicana's Web site urged fans late Tuesday to get their tickets for the remaining 19 shows of the show, titled "Once Before I Go."
Jack Wishna, who handled the contract for Newton, confirmed that the show ends April 24 barring an extension by Alex Yemenidjian, chairman of the Tropicana and godfather of Newton's daughter, Lauren, who turns 8 next month.
Yemenidjian has announced plans for a new showroom.
"If Alex wants to extend, I'm sure Wayne would agree to an extension," added Wishna.
HARD TIMES
The apparent suicide of Hard Rock Hotel boss Randy Kwasniewski has left many questions and few answers.
Kwasniewski, 56, was found dead at his home March 9 from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Like several other major gaming properties in hard-hit Las Vegas, the Hard Rock also was dealing with the added pressures of completing a major expansion project during a severe economic slowdown.
Three general managers, the No. 3 job, had left the Hard Rock over a two-year period.
Kwasniewski felt the pinch financially.
He had his salary dramatically reduced last year, according to a document filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
After assisting Morgans through the acquisition phase starting in late 2006 after the purchase from Peter Morton, the New York-based company named him president of Morgans Hotel Group Las Vegas and chief operating officer of Hard Rock Hotel Inc. in 2007.
His first-year salary was $1.4 million, counting $484,375 in base pay, a $625,000 bonus plus stock and option add-ons. His 2008 pay jumped to $1.9 million, including a base of $663,846 and a $725,000 bonus.
In 2009, Kwasniewski's salary was slashed from $1.9 million to $823,875, after he agreed to a 12.5 percent bonus of $90,625. His base pay was $725,000. In the SEC document, Morgans indicated the smaller bonus reflected the tougher times.
Away from the Hard Rock, associates said, Kwasniewski had a passion for his 14-year-old son Dylan's blossoming career in motor sports. And he was an avid gun collector.
"If you wanted to bond with him, you played golf or went to the shooting range," one of the sources said.
SIGHTINGS
At separate "KA" shows Tuesday at the MGM Grand: Oscar and Grammy-winning composer Michel Legrand and mixed martial arts legend Randy Couture.
THE PUNCH LINE
"A lot of people are unhappy about health care reform. Personally, I loved paying huge premiums and driving to Canada to buy cheap drugs." -- 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.
