Rodman hit with second lawsuit within a week

Thursday, June 11, 1998 | 2:18 a.m.

Wednesday's complaint was filed by Las Vegas attorneys Clarence Gamble and Donna Williams on behalf of Dixie Johnson, a Clark County resident.

"On April 19, 1998, inside of the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel and Casino, defendant, without cause, consent or provocation, sexually assaulted plaintiff by physically grabbing her left breast and shaking it," the federal lawsuit alleges.

The complaint claims Rodman also made lewd comments about the woman's breasts in the presence of numerous spectators. According to the document, Rodman caused Johnson to suffer "shame, embarrassment and extreme emotional distress."

It claims Rodman's actions violated the federal Violence Against Women Act. The lawsuit's other claims are battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Johnson is seeking compensatory damages of $300,000 and punitive damages of $3 million, plus attorney fees and costs of the lawsuit.

On Friday, James Brasich, a craps dealer at The Mirage, filed a lawsuit against Rodman in District Court, claiming the basketball player humiliated him at work in October by rubbing his bald head, stomach and groin with the dice before rolling them.

Brasich is seeking $300,000 in compensatory and punitive damages.

Rodman's attorney, Richard Howell, said the lawsuit was frivolous and questioned why the suit was filed when the Chicago Bulls are in the NBA finals.