Woman sues Dennis Rodman, Hard Rock Hotel

A former beverage manager at the Hard Rock Hotel filed a federal lawsuit this week that claims ex-NBA star Dennis Rodman assaulted her in March 2006 by grabbing her, rubbing his body against hers and slapping her on the buttocks.

Sara Robinson filed the lawsuit, which also accuses her former employer of retaliating against her after she complained about Rodman's behavior.

Neither Rodman nor any of his representatives could be reached for comment Friday. The hotel's spokeswoman also could not be reached.

According to the lawsuit, Robinson began her employment as beverage manager on Feb. 16, 2006. The document claims she was working in the Cuba Libre bar on March 26, 2006, when Rodman, a guest of the hotel, "began making a scene."

Because of the large crowd gathering around Rodman, according to the lawsuit, security was called.

"Unable to get Robinson's full attention, Rodman approached the bar and attempted to climb on top of or over it," the document alleges. "Robinson put her hands up and asked Rodman to stop as the bar began to move. As Robinson stepped around the bar, Rodman grabbed her, pulled her towards him and rubbed his body against hers. Robinson tried to get free from Rodman's grasp at which time he assaulted her by reaching down and slapping her open-handed on her bottom."

According to the lawsuit, "security stood by watching as Robinson ran from the room," and the incident was caught on surveillance tape.

Robinson immediately contacted her supervisor, according to the document, and then filled out a voluntary statement. She "was informed that Rodman would not be allowed back in the hotel, and she was further encouraged to report similar incidents."

On April 15, 2006, according to the lawsuit, a bartender told Robinson that Rodman had been at the Cuba Libre bar the previous day and again had caused a scene. Robinson filled out a voluntary statement detailing Rodman's actions.

The lawsuit claims Robinson was locked out of her office computer on April 27, 2006, and was informed that she needed to sign paperwork for her resignation. Robinson refused to resign and was fired, according to her lawsuit.

Robinson, who is represented by Las Vegas attorney Elizabeth Ghanem, claims in the lawsuit that her employer was negligent by failing to protect her from Rodman's "harassing conduct." The document, which seeks unspecified damages, also accuses Rodman of assault and battery.

Rodman, 46, is no stranger to the Las Vegas legal system. Four women filed lawsuits that accused him of grabbing their breasts at the Las Vegas Hilton in 1998.

And in 2001, a District Court jury awarded former Mirage craps dealer James Brasich $80,000 in another case against Rodman.

Brasich said Rodman humiliated him by rubbing dice on his head, chest, stomach and genitals during an October 1997 craps game. Rodman appealed the verdict in the case, and the parties later settled confidentially.