Steve Green

Story Archive

Hooters hotel-casino to be sold at auction
Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011
The Hooters hotel-casino in Las Vegas will we sold at auction under a deal disclosed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court on Tuesday. The 696-room property on Tropicana Avenue, just east of the Las Vegas Strip, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization and protection on Aug. 1. The bankruptcy was filed to block a foreclosure threatened by Canpartners Realty Holding Company IV, holder of $178 million of Hooters’ $181 million face value in debt. Canpartners is part of the $20 billion investment company Canyon Capital Realty Advisors of Los Angeles.
Las Vegas home prices fall to February 1998 levels
Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011
Las Vegas-area home prices fell again in September to a new low during the current recession, Standard & Poor’s reported Tuesday. Stung by elevated unemployment and high levels of foreclosures and underwater mortgages, Las Vegas saw housing prices fall 1.4 percent from August and 7.3 percent from September 2010.
Subcontractors fight Harmon demolition plan
Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011
Two subcontractors have joined the general contractor in fighting plans by MGM Resorts International to implode the unused Harmon Tower at CityCenter on the Las Vegas Strip. The CityCenter casino-resort complex, half owned and managed by MGM Resorts International, says the 26-story hotel structure is unsafe because of construction defects and needs to come down.
Boyd says deal to sell Dania Jai-Alai called off
Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011
Boyd Gaming Corp. of Las Vegas today said its deal announced in May to sell its Dania Jai-Alai operation in Florida for $80 million has been called off.
Las Vegas commercial real estate owners in bankruptcy
Monday, Nov. 28, 2011
With the Southern Nevada commercial market still struggling, real estate is at issue in the bankruptcies of five local companies this month.
Hard Rock Café chain faces Las Vegas trademark lawsuit
Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011
England’s Cavern Club, known as the birthplace of the Beatles, hit the international Hard Rock chain with a lawsuit Sunday in Las Vegas alleging trademark infringement.
Financial problems preceded former nightclub exec's apparent suicide
Friday, Nov. 25, 2011
A day after former Las Vegas nightclub and restaurant developer Scott DeGraff was found dead in an apparent suicide, court records painted a picture of a man who recently had been fighting hard to overcome deep financial problems.


Trademark dispute erupts between LV nightclub operators
Friday, Nov. 25, 2011
A Las Vegas nightclub owner has filed a lawsuit against a competitor alleging trademark infringement.
Nevada ranks No. 36 on Forbes list of best states for business
Friday, Nov. 25, 2011
In yet another wake-up call for Nevada policymakers, the state ranks in the bottom half of a new Forbes magazine list of the best states for business. However, the state ranked high in another Forbes list projecting employment growth.
N9NE Group co-founder Scott DeGraff dead in apparent suicide
Childhood friend, business partner Michael Morton calls DeGraff dynamic, creative
Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011
Scott DeGraff, formerly a high-profile Las Vegas nightclub executive who co-founded the N9NE Group with restaurateur Michael Morton, was found dead Thursday in what Aspen, Colo., police preliminarily said appeared to be a suicide.
Downtown restaurant files for bankruptcy reorganization, remains open
Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011
One of the Makino sushi and seafood buffets in Las Vegas has filed for bankruptcy after a creditor repossessed some of its equipment, an attorney said.
Righthaven still kicking, files appeals briefs
Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011
Even as creditors try to seize its assets for nonpayment of debts, Righthaven LLC showed Tuesday it was alive and kicking. The Las-Vegas based company made its presence known by filing its first briefs it two rulings it has appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.
Las Vegas Hilton may be getting ready to change its name
Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011
The Las Vegas Hilton may soon have a new name: “LVH” or “LVH Las Vegas Hotel & Casino.” The property’s owner has filed federal trademark applications to exclusively use one or both of those names.
PH Towers Westgate at Planet Hollywood has new owner
Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011
A big timeshare resort on the Las Vegas Strip has a new owner, under a restructuring announced Tuesday. Resort Finance America LLC said it acquired a controlling interest in PH Towers Westgate at Planet Hollywood.
Caesars facing suit over California dealers’ tips
Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011
While a lawsuit over the pooling of casino dealers’ tips winds its way through Nevada’s court system, another casino tip lawsuit has emerged in California. A state judge this month ruled Wynn Resorts Ltd. can’t include managers in the dealers’ tip pools at its Wynn and Encore resorts.
Bankrupt Las Vegas lender sues state over its license
Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011
A bankrupt lender in Las Vegas sued the state of Nevada on Tuesday after the state ordered it to stop operating as a mortgage broker.
Judge weighing arguments in $700 million Fontainebleau fraud lawsuit
Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011
With potentially $700 million in damages at stake, it was little surprise when 23 attorneys packed into a Las Vegas courtroom Monday to argue about whether a fraud lawsuit could continue over the failed $2.9 billion Fontainebleau Las Vegas casino resort.
Las Vegas Monorail to talk with creditors on new bankruptcy plan
Monday, Nov. 21, 2011
The Las Vegas Monorail confirmed Monday it would work on a new plan of reorganization to emerge from bankruptcy following the rejection last week of its latest proposal.
Righthaven CEO pressured to reveal location of cash
Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011
Pressure mounted Friday on Righthaven LLC CEO Steven Gibson to explain how the firm can continue to operate while at the same time failing to pay off more than $216,000 owed to creditors.
R-J won't contest fair use finding in key Righthaven case
Friday, Nov. 18, 2011
The Las Vegas Review-Journal won't object to a court ruling finding in favor of a Righthaven LLC copyright lawsuit defendant.
Judge rejects Monorail plan to emerge from bankruptcy
Friday, Nov. 18, 2011
Bankruptcy Judge Bruce Markell in Las Vegas on Friday rejected the Las Vegas Monorail’s latest plan to emerge from bankruptcy, saying its own numbers show it would be encumbered with twice as much debt as the Monorail is worth.
New home sales, prices decrease
Friday, Nov. 18, 2011
Las Vegas-area new homes continued to sell at a slow pace and at lower prices in October, and local analyst Dennis Smith said the market was many months away from a turnaround.
Former executive hits Cantor Gaming with counterclaim
Friday, Nov. 18, 2011
Nevada casino sports book operator Joseph Asher has hit competitor Cantor Gaming with a counterclaim in its lawsuit over competition in the industry.
Lanni honored in MGM diversity report
Friday, Nov. 18, 2011
In a report on its diversity initiatives, MGM Resorts International honored former chairman and CEO Terry Lanni and outlined progress the company has made under the programs he established.
Processor: No wrongful foreclosures tied to Nevada indictments
Friday, Nov. 18, 2011
The two title officers indicted in the Las Vegas foreclosure document robo-signing scam this week have been identified as employees of Lender Processing Services Inc., which banks use for loan servicing and foreclosure work.
Changes disclosed in Aliante Station management contract
Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011
Station Casinos LLC’s 16-day-old contract to manage Aliante Station in North Las Vegas has been terminated for undisclosed reasons, but Station, nevertheless, expects to remain as the manager indefinitely.
New tower brings 450 jobs to Caesars Palace
Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011
With Las Vegas hotel and casino jobs hard to come by during the recession, employment seekers have some hope with Caesars Palace planning to hire 450 people in advance of the Jan. 2 opening of Octavius Tower.
Silver State Schools Credit Union closing 3 more branches
Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011
Silver State Schools Credit Union today announced it plans to close three of its 12 Las Vegas-area branches by mid-January.
2 title officers indicted in alleged robo-signing scheme
Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011
The office of the Nevada attorney general announced today that the Clark County grand jury has indicted two title officers on charges of running an alleged robo-signing scheme that resulted in the filing of tens of thousands of fraudulent foreclosure documents.
Las Vegas Sands' Adelson polite and firm in latest deposition
Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011
A newly released video of a deposition of Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson shows him politely and firmly refusing to answer some questions posed to him by a legal foe.
Sale of 2 Las Vegas psychiatric hospitals proposed
Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011
A Tennessee company plans to buy two Las Vegas psychiatric hospitals. Strategic Behavioral Health LLC of Memphis would purchase Montevista Hospital and Red Rock Behavioral Health Hospital for an undisclosed amount under an arrangement disclosed by the Federal Trade Commission last week.
Investor buys struggling Village Square shopping, office complex
Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011
An investor in distressed real estate has purchased the struggling Village Square shopping and office complex in western Las Vegas and is promising to revitalize it.
Cannery Casino Resorts LLC reports 3rd quarter gain
Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011
A new Indian casino consulting deal lifted third quarter revenue for Cannery Casino Resorts LLC of Las Vegas.
Las Vegas real estate lender posts more losses
Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011
The Vestin real estate funds in Las Vegas reported more losses in the third quarter on continued weakness in the economy.
FTC wins $29.8 million judgment in lawsuit alleging deceptive online offers
Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011
The Federal Trade Commission has won a $29.8 million judgment in a lawsuit charging several Nevada companies and individuals deceived consumers nationwide with bogus online offers for dietary supplements and assistance in obtaining credit and government grants.
Las Vegas firm sues casino in trademark dispute
Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011
A trademark dispute has erupted between a sizeable Indian casino in Minnesota and a Las Vegas-based casino supplier.
Las Vegas tour seller denies stealing competitor's trade secrets
Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011
A seller of sightseeing tours on the Las Vegas Strip is denying lawsuit allegations that it wrongly hired a competitor’s former workers and stole its trade secrets.
One Stop Ticket and Tour Shop Inc. filed suit last month in Clark County District Court against Adventures International LLC.
Bankruptcy judge skeptical about Las Vegas Monorail plans
Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011
The Las Vegas Monorail was developed at a cost of $650 million — but based on its meager ridership and revenue levels it’s now worth just $16 million to $20 million.
Cosmopolitan resort, Affinity Gaming and Riviera resort report 3rd quarter losses
Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011
The owner of the Cosmopolitan resort on the Las Vegas Strip reported a third quarter loss Monday as heavy promotional spending for the new property continued to affect its results.
Attorneys seek to auction Righthaven copyrights
Monday, Nov. 14, 2011
Attorneys fighting Las Vegas copyright company Righthaven LLC asked for a court order Monday to have Righthaven’s assets auctioned off — notably including the very copyrights Righthaven sues over.
Las Vegas bank operator posts hefty loss on problem loans
Monday, Nov. 14, 2011
Las Vegas bank owner Western Liberty Bancorp last week posted a hefty third-quarter loss because of the continued inability of many borrowers to make their loan payments.
Attorney complains about anti-Righthaven campaign
Friday, Nov. 11, 2011
A Las Vegas lawyer for copyright company Righthaven LLC complained Friday that opposing attorneys are engaged in “scorched-earth, anti-Righthaven litigation tactics.”
2 casino suppliers report steady 3rd-quarter business
Friday, Nov. 11, 2011
Two Las Vegas-based casino suppliers reported financial results this week showing business was steady in the third quarter.
Report suggests construction industry starting to rebound
Friday, Nov. 11, 2011
There’s no work planned on casino megaresorts anytime soon, but a steady stream of smaller building jobs may help the Las Vegas construction industry emerge from its deep recession. That’s according to the Associated General Contractors of Las Vegas.
Marshals execute against Righthaven bank account
Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011
The U.S. Marshals Service has made some progress in seizing the assets of copyright company Righthaven LLC, disclosing Thursday it has served a writ of execution on a Las Vegas bank branch.
Judge rejects Wynn tip-pooling policy; company to appeal
Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011
Steve Wynn’s revolutionary policy of requiring hundreds of card dealers to share tips with supervisors does not comply with Nevada law, a state judge has ruled. An attorney for Wynn Resorts Ltd. on Thursday said it would appeal — setting up a high court showdown.
Stratosphere revenue improves on more visitors, higher spending on rooms
Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011
The owner of the Stratosphere in Las Vegas posted a smaller third-quarter loss Thursday as business picked up for the 2,427-room property.
More ugly news for Nevada on foreclosures, home prices
Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011
Two more real estate reports, another blast of bad news for the Nevada market. Foreclosure tracker RealtyTrac, of Irvine, Calif., issued national statistics for October and, as usual, Nevada had the nation’s highest foreclosure rate.
Las Vegas Switch data center in trademark dispute
Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011
Switch Communications Group LLC, operator of a big data center in Las Vegas, sued a Canadian man on Wednesday in what it calls a trademark dispute.
Aliante HOA hit with lawsuit
Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011
In the latest in a series of such lawsuits, the Aliante planned community’s homeowners association in North Las Vegas is accused of gouging buyers of foreclosed homes.