Steve, Elaine Wynn divorce-lawyer up
In one corner: Elaine Wynn's attorney Don Schiller, who represented Juanita Jordan in her divorce from NBA icon Michael Jordan.
In the other corner: Steve Wynn's attorney James Jimmerson, who handled Wayne Newton's divorce and Mike Tyson's bid to regain his boxing license.
At issue is one of the biggest divorce settlements in U.S. history.
The Chicago-based Schiller won a $168 million settlement for Juanita Jordan, ranked by Forbes magazine as the " the most expensive in entertainment history."
But Steve Wynn probably will give up more than that.
Billionaire Rupert Murdoch turned over $ 1.2 billion in assets to former wife Anna.
"Women are more assertive today," Schiller told the New York Times two years ago after representing Joan Stonecipher in her divorce from Boeing's former chief executive, Harry C. Stonecipher. "They are stronger about protecting their interest and less peacemakers."
Schiller, reached by e-mail, declined comment, saying he "does not discuss my clients." Jimmerson said he would have no comment.
Assisting Schiller will be Gary Silverman, a family law attorney from Reno.
Forbes, in its annual ranking of billionaires this week, estimated Steve Wynn's worth at $1.5 billion, down from $3.9 billion a year earlier. Maybe the Wynns will settle it by splitting up the two hotels they opened the past five years and renaming them Steve's and Elaine's.
Steve Wynn filed for divorce on March 5, about two months after reports surfaced that the duo had split and he had informed friends that he was in love with a British divorcee.
This one probably won't be as amicable as singer Neil Diamond's split from Marcia Murphey, who received $150 million. Diamond later told a reporter, "She has earned every penny."
SCINTAS SWAN SONG
The Scintas are ending their nine-year run as Las Vegas resident headliners where they started.
It's a far different economic situation than in 2000 when the popular family group from Buffalo, N.Y., opened at the Las Vegas Hilton.
"9/11 wasn't even close to this," said Frankie Scinta, who fronts the four-member group that includes brother Joey, sister Chrissy and longtime member Peter O'Donnell.
They're not leaving town, or giving up on Las Vegas. They're just taking their show on the road.
"Las Vegas is luxury money, and right now there's not a lot of it around," Frankie Scinta said. "With the economy where it is and people not traveling as much as before, we're going to go to the people."
They'll continue to be based in Las Vegas, where they are beloved for their community service.
"That's why we're not going to move. We're still going to be involved in all the community projects."
They're returning in April to the Suncoast. "That will be a thank-you to all our local fans for making us a part of this community for nine years, and I hope a lot longer."
They will continue to work on a sitcom pilot that features Steve Schirripa, Brad Garret, Mila Kunis and comedian Rich Little "who is my neighbor and who thinks he is going to have an affair with Mama Scinta."
THE SCENE AND HEARD
A film crew for the Playboy Channel is at the Palomino Club tonight to shoot "The King of Clubs," featuring owner Adam Gentile. The 12-episode reality focuses on how Gentile took over a club that had fallen on hard times and turned it around. The project came about after Gene Simmons of KISS shot some episodes of "Family Jewels" in the club more than a year ago. Tonight's episode features body painting and 12 women who made it through auditions. ...
The entertainment cutbacks continue: Purple Reign has been pink-slipped. One of the premier Prince tribute bands in the country, the group has been let go at Santa Fe Station and South Point. They were selected to perform on "The Late Show with David Letterman" during Tribute Week in November. You can still catch them at the House of Blues on Sunday night. ...
Legendary actor Tony Curtis is signing his new book "American Prince -- A Memoir" from noon to 2 p.m. today at Aurora in Luxor. The date was inadvertently omitted in Thursday's column.
SIGHTINGS
Singer Katy Perry, shooting a "Last Supper" scene Thursday for the finale of her music video "Waking Up In Vegas" at the Palms. With her: drag queens Larry Edwards as Tina Turner, Derrick Barry as Britney Spears, Kenneth Blake as Dolly Parton and Ryan Zink as Reba McEntire and four Elvi: Johnny Thompson, George Thomas, Paige Poole and Brad Collin. Clarification: Thompson, who was featured in Thursday's column about local Elvises hard hit by the economy, was in Asia four times in the past year. ... Pittsburgh Steelers running back Mewelde Moore was running in circles on Friday. He was at Pole Position Raceway with friends.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Bernie Madoff pled guilty today in court to running a Ponzi scheme. He was immediately taken to jail. Oddly, when he was taken to jail he wasn't wearing a wedding ring. So you know what that means, guys in prison -- he's available." -- Jay Leno
Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
