COURTS:

Fired casino host calls suit ‘retribution’

Sun coverage

A casino host fired and accused of wrongdoing by the Palms is alleging the company is retaliating against her because of an alleged sexual harassment issue.

The Palms filed suit this week against Jessica Hemingway, claiming she was fired after misappropriating for her own use important data including lists of hundreds of high rollers and other gamblers.

The Palms claims Hemingway emailed this information to her personal accounts a few months before she was fired July 9. The Palms is seeking a court order blocking Hemingway from using the data or providing it to any competing casino for which she may go to work.

Hemingway suggested Thursday she’ll fight the allegations.

''This is retribution for a sexual harassment complaint I filed. I just found out about it and have just contacted an attorney,'' Hemingway said.

The Palms on Wednesday and Thursday issued this statement about both its lawsuit and about Hemingway’s sexual harassment claim: ''As a matter of company policy, we do not comment on pending litigation.''

The Palms, in its suit, said the state Gaming Control Board is investigating Hemingway’s alleged emailing of the lists to her personal email addresses.

Jerry Markling, enforcement chief for the board, said he couldn’t comment on a pending investigation.

But he said that generally, the misappropriation of company data like customer lists can result in criminal charges.

Gaming

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