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Mar. 09, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM: Trial may reveal more tip tidbits

NORM CLARKE
MORE COLUMNS

Benji Madden didn't host at Privé after all.



Paris Hilton was host at LAX nightclub.



Taylor Dayne celebrates 46 years.



Jamie-Lynn Sigler and friends ate at Joe's.

An upcoming trial claiming excessive force by doormen at Rumjungle nightclub at Mandalay Bay figures to shed more light on rumored shakedown practices at local clubs.

San Francisco firefighter Joshua Parks alleges his femur, the largest bone in the body, was broken by security personnel March 29, 2004, when he refused to pay a security guard to re-enter after leaving the club for a cigarette.

District Judge David Wall heard motions on the case last Friday. The trial is scheduled to start in his court March 24.

According to court documents, Parks was confronted by security guards Orlando Johnson and Nathan Vargas when the 5-foot-6, 155-pound firefighter attempted to rejoin a wedding party.

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    • In a deposition, Parks said he felt he was being "muscled" for a tip and was beaten when he objected.

    The lawsuit alleges his leg was intentionally broken during the incident.

    Emmett Michaels, director of security for Mandalay Group, said in a deposition the injury had to be "some kind of excessive force." Surveillance video showed Parks' shattered leg ended up near his head, Michaels said. "Not in 18 years (as security chief) did we have anything similar to that ... not even close," he said.

    Vargas, in his deposition, said he was fired by Rumjungle's management in 2005 for taking "excessive tips." Asked what he earned on average in a year for working the door, Vargas said, "I don't know."

    When pressed for specific tax information, Vargas said he was told by management that he didn't have to file tax returns, because "they said it was a gratuity."

    The trial is likely to shine more light on aggressive tipping practices and unreported income.

    Club operators and casinos are already on edge after an IRS raid Feb. 20 at Pure Nightclub at Caesars Palace and Pure Management Group's offices.

    Rumjungle is operated by the China Grill group, which leases the space from Mandalay Group, Mandalay Bay's parent company.

    THE SCENE AND HEARD

    Bad blood between two nightclubs resulted in the cancellation of Benji Madden, guitarist for Good Charlotte and Paris Hilton's new boyfriend, as Saturday's host at Privé Nightclub at Planet Hollywood Resort. Hilton was hosting at Pure Management Group's LAX nightclub at Luxor. Sources said Privé didn't want Madden showing up later at a rival club, a routine contract stipulation. On Friday, Hilton showed off a diamond-studded ring at the Kim Vo Salon and Spa grand opening at The Mirage. The ring featured the letters "BM," apparently a gift from Madden. ...

    A reality show that would feature maverick chef Steve Martorano and his South Florida and Las Vegas restaurants is being shopped. The heavily tattooed Martorano is known for his South Philly fare and hard-edged atmosphere. Café Martorano opened at the Rio more than a year ago.

    SIGHTINGS

    Scarlett Johansson and boyfriend Ryan Reynolds, at her mother's wedding Saturday atop the Paris Las Vegas Eiffel Tower. ... Soccer star Landon Donovan, taking in Moon nightclub (Palms) on Friday. ... Taylor Dayne and longtime Hollywood producer/director Garry Marshall, in separate groups Saturday at Bette Midler's show at Caesars Palace. Marshall directed Midler in "Beaches." Dayne celebrated her 46th birthday Friday at Vo's red carpet event and with a cake at Revolution Lounge (Mirage). ... Actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler of "The Sopranos," having lunch Saturday with friends at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab (Forum Shops at Caesars).

    THE PUNCH LINE

    "Force Starbucks to identify their sizes 'small,' 'medium,' and 'large.' -- am I right, people?" -- From David Letterman's Top Ten Ralph Nader Campaign Promises

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



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    BT wrote on March 09, 2008 03:22 PM: I am not doubting the story about the doormen at Rumjungle. But I wanted to relate my own experience.

    I was at Mandalay Bay one night, hit all the clubs. I had way too much to drink and threw up in the toilet. Mandalay Bay security asked me if I was alright. The waited paitently until I was done throwing up. Afterward they sat me in a wheel chair and took me to the front entrance. They bypassed the Taxi cab line and placed me in the next available cab and made sure the driver knew where to take me before they left. Throughout the ordeal, they were nothing but pleasent and accomodating.


    DoormanLooie wrote on March 09, 2008 12:20 PM: Ummm, I'm a knuckle dragging doorman. The only people dumber than me are the idiots that pay ridiculous amounts to get into the club to chase the puss. You mean I have to report tips? Uhhhh. Duhhhh. What do you mean?


    LA wrote on March 09, 2008 10:33 AM: THE COLLEGE GIRLS THAT WRE MURDERED THIS WEEK IN GEORGIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, HOW COULD YOU NOT THINK THEY WERE MURDERED BY BLACKS. I WAS RIGHT ALL THE WAY !!!!!!!!!!


    GOD wrote on March 09, 2008 10:32 AM: These loser doorman extorting fat tips from tourists is pathetic. Pure, LAX, and Manadalay Bay will pay heavily.

    All these doorman need to go to jail for tax evasion, the clubs owners for money laundering and skimming, and all for strong-arming tourists to the point where physical violence is involved.

    Mandalay Bay's CEO - Mr. Hornbuckle should be proud of this process going on at his hotel. Give him a call and note your displeasure.


    KK wrote on March 09, 2008 10:29 AM: IF NOT FIRST IN LINE, THEN A GOOD RUN FOR SECOND PLACE- WHO'S MAKING MONEY HAND OVER FIST THAT THE FBI AND IRS DON'T COMPLETELY IGNORES ? ARE YOU READY ????? THE DISC JOCKEYS IN TOWN , ALL OF THEM.LETS CHECK THEIR LIFE STYLE OF LIVING ,THE HOUSES THEY LIVE IN THE CARS THEY DRIVE MMMMMMMMMMMM?????


    douglas wrote on March 09, 2008 09:23 AM: "tips" given to doormen, strip club "performers", and cab drivers' kickbacks to steer rubes into those strip clubs must be examined.

    how many schoolbooks could be bought were those "undeclared" "tips" have federal taxes collected ?


    Marc wrote on March 09, 2008 09:05 AM: Finally, someone is bringing this very serious problem to light. Bouncers have been doing this for years, but are now getting more aggressive. And if you complain about "the shakedown," you either get beaten, arrested, or both on trumped up charges, that you were "disturing the peace." Good for you Norm for finally exposing the underbelly of this multi-million dollar business.


    Tom wrote on March 09, 2008 08:50 AM: The mob is out of the casino's but has always been present at the strip clubs in town and for the last few years at the high end night clubs also. This situation sounds exactly like the Crazy Horse Too.


    Sid wrote on March 09, 2008 07:57 AM: Vegas is saturated with persons with no real skill or education working in positions as doormen and what not with their hand out. They should go find a real education and skill or just cut the chase and go to a major intersection and hold a cardboard sign for a living.