Sands tries to sway jury in trial

Thanks to the gargantuan profits of his Macau casinos, Sheldon Adelson is a major player in the corporate gambling racket.

A jury in District Court is about to decide whether the Las Vegas Sands CEO’s gamble in the Richard Suen civil case pays off. Suen won $43.8 million in a 2008 trial after a jury determined he helped Sands win a Macau casino license. Casino profits from Macau made Las Vegas Sands a major gaming industry player and Adelson one of the world’s richest men.

But Sands got the judgment overturned, and the warring parties have been locked in a second trial for the past month. Closing arguments began Thursday morning with Suen attorney John O’Malley arguing that the weight of evidence proves his client is due
$5 million and 2 percent of the company’s net profits in Macau, or $328 million.

On July 16, 2001, shortly after Suen arranged for meetings with high-ranking officials in Hong Kong, then-Sands President William Weidner wrote Suen in a memo:

“LVSI/Venetian will pay $5 million as a success fee upon opening of the resort and will pay an ongoing 2 percent of the net profit of the resort as an additional success fee.”

But Sands attorneys argue that Suen played no appreciable role in the company’s success.

Adelson, wife Miriam and the family’s security chief watched as O’Malley led jurors through a series of memos and sworn testimony that shows Suen was nothing like the “con man” defense attorneys have described.

The defense is expected to make its closing argument today in District Judge Rob Bare’s courtroom.

MUSIC MAN: Mike Turnbull’s family of musicians is rallying after the veteran trombone player’s diagnosis of advanced-stage neck, thyroid and trachea cancer. Turnbull underwent a lengthy surgery and is still recovering.
A father of two young sons, Turnbull’s latest gig has been with Donny and Marie Osmond’s show at the Flamingo. While he’s out of action, his friends are putting on a benefit show in his honor. It’s loaded with entertainment value and set for 1 p.m. Saturday at New Song Church at 1291 Cornet Drive in Henderson.

Tickets are limited. For more information: 492-1771.

ZOO BLUES: No one would be blamed for wondering whether the diminutive Las Vegas Zoo on Rancho Drive is snake-bitten these days. Not only has the nonprofit operation been hit by state safety inspectors, but this past week a reckless driver plowed into the facility’s outer wall, destroying approximately 30 feet of block.

Is there a brick-laying angel in the community willing to step up and fix the mess caused by an uninsured driver?

ON THE BOULEVARD: At the Legislature, a pending bill increases campaign-reporting requirements and clarifies the definition of acceptable gifts, which could include the purchase of expensive suits as part of an official’s allowable expenses. If only it could require independent spines in every Armani suit. ... “Being Oscar,” former Mayor Goodman’s memoir, hits shelves later this month. I guarantee some union officials and former federal investigators will hate it. ... Strip club operators are fighting over the “Crazy Horse” name. ... Buzz is building in anticipation of next week’s opening of downtown’s La Comida, the Mexico City-style restaurant owned by Jenna and Michael Morton. ... Speaking of downtown hipness, Mingo Kitchen & Lounge is now open in Art Square at 1017 S. First St.

Have an item for Bard of the Boulevard? Email comments and contributions to jsmith@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0295.