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Feb. 23, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM: IRS raid coincides with Midler show

NORM CLARKE
MORE COLUMNS

When Bette Midler said she wanted her new show to be a Vegas throwback, who knew the Internal Revenue Service would add to the atmosphere?

Wednesday had the feel of the wild, wiretapping 1970s, when Sin City was Skim City and crawling with feds.

It's been a while since a big opening night on the Strip had such a juicy side story.

Truth be told, the Divine Miss M probably loved it because nothing builds buzz like a good old-fashion IRS raid.

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    • Earlier in the day, IRS agents took over the mammoth Pure Nightclub at Caesars Palace and Pure Management Group's headquarters on Industrial Road. No explanation was given.

    An IRS spokeswoman on Friday said she could confirm that the probe widened, with reports that agents made a visit to Pure's LAX Nightclub at Luxor.

    Midler's only connection was the after-party scheduled for Pure nightclub, about 100 yards away from where she opened her megashow, "The Showgirl Must Go On."

    The after-party was almost moved to a ballroom because Pure was, umm, occupied.

    The show not only went on, but so did the after-party and red carpet outside Pure, where chatter about the raid was all the rage.

    There was talk that Pure managing partner Robert Frey was sighted at Midler's show.

    John Meglen, co-CEO and president of AEG Live/Concerts West, the talent booker for Caesars Palace, showed up on the red carpet and offered words of support to Frey. Six years ago, Frey launched Pure Management Group's nightclub and restaurant empire with Steve Davidovici, whom Frey recently described as "the best club operator in town."

    "I hope everything's OK because we love Robert Frey," said Meglen, "and I hope everything's good there. He came to the show so I guess it can't be that bad.

    "I hope it was just the old couple disgruntled employees stirring it up because I think that's all it was," Meglen said.

    THE SCENE AND HEARD

    Las Vegas icon Kirk Kerkorian is out and about after weathering a bout of bronchitis. He was spotted at Piero's Italian Cuisine last week.

    Corrections: Idina Menzel is actor Taye Diggs' wife, not girlfriend, and Ruben Droughns is a member of the Cleveland Browns.

    SIGHTINGS

    Cleveland Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards, celebrating his 25th birthday Thursday at Tryst nightclub (Wynn). Also at Tryst: Boxer Zab Judah, UFC fighters Quentin "Rampage" Jackson and Wanderlei Silva, NFL players Brady Quinn (Cleveland Browns), Reggie Bush (New Orleans Saints), Mario Williams (Houston Texans), Donte Stallworth (New England Patriots), Edgerrin James (Arizona Cardinals) and Droughns. ... Actress Jennifer Coolidge, dining Wednesday with friends at Tao Asian Bistro (Venetian). ... Rapper Ja Rule, checking out Moon nightclub (Palms) on Thursday.

    THE PUNCH LINE

    "The New York Times is claiming John McCain, who is 71 years old, had an inappropriate relationship with a woman who is a Washington lobbyist. The good news is there's no footage." -- Conan O'Brien

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

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    LasVegasGinger wrote on March 06, 2008 07:46 PM: I heard through the vine that the federal investigation started because managers of Pure Nightclub make it a habit of only paying the staff 10% of their actual tips. So, if a cocktail waitress is tipped $2000.00 per shift- she only takes home $200.00. Now that would explain why the staffers at Pure are so rude and miserable. For now, just a rumor though.


    the chad wrote on February 23, 2008 07:54 PM: I believe it was just the other day that I commented that more IRS "raids" would be coming, don't think they will stop at LAX. Hope you all still have your seat belts fastened, the ride has just went through the first inverted double helix, so to speak...stay tuned.


    Rain in the Desert wrote on February 23, 2008 02:13 PM: The "ghost" staff who worked at Pure/LAX will go down soon too. These are the guys that looked the other way when drugs were purchased and consumed as well as pimping and prostitution that occured openly. Ironically or not, off duty cops worked there doing just that. How else did these guys have such expensive tastes.
    Nellis Federal Prison Camp will have new residents within a year.


    Ron Jeremy wrote on February 23, 2008 01:05 PM: Hey Ginger, why don't you do what most of the girls in this town do - sell your soul (and body) to some stranger on vacation so you don't have to foot the bill on your next Pure visit! LOL


    johnny boy wrote on February 23, 2008 12:19 PM: Hey 'don't forget' - I heard Copperfied was last seen 'noshing' at some clinic for guys with sexual urges they can't control.


    LASVEGASGINGER wrote on February 23, 2008 10:48 AM: PURE NIGHTCLUB IS A JOKE AND A RIPOFF- $500.00 TO SIT DOWN AND THEN REQUIRED TO BUY 4 $300.00 BOTTLES OF GREY GOOSE THAT RETAIL FOR $30.00 - THEY SHOULD BE CHARGED WITH A CRIME FOR RIPPING OFF SO MANY CLUBBERS IN VEGAS- WOULDNT BE SURPRISED IF THEY ARE OVERCHARGING CREDIT CARDS TOO. THE STAFF ARE MISERABLE AND THE BOSSES ARE SO CROOKED THEY COULD GET STARING ROLES ON "THE SOPRANOS"


    Don't Forget wrote on February 23, 2008 10:39 AM: Hey, Norm, time for a follow-up! What about David Copperfield?


    Ken Lotocki wrote on February 23, 2008 08:36 AM: To correct your correction, Ruben Droughns is a member of the New York Giants. He used to be a member of the Cleveland Browns. He just didn't play much in New York with Jacobs and Bradshaw playing so often.


    Dave Chivington wrote on February 23, 2008 08:09 AM: Saturday's correction in Norms' column stated that Ruben Droughns was a member of the Cleveland Browns is incorrect. He use to be a member of the Browns but in now a NY Giant.


    Old Vegas wrote on February 23, 2008 07:59 AM: Just die Kerkorian, your time has come and gone. By the way, you can't take all that money with you - HA! HA!


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