Firing over nude photo shoot argued in court

Bill Gang

Friday, May 29, 1998 | 10:03 a.m.

The heritage of modern Las Vegas has always included nudity, from topless showgirls to strip clubs to explicit outcall entertainment services.

But for John Williams, the manager of Young Electric Sign Co., renting out the company's graveyard of casino signs as a backdrop for a Penthouse Magazine video in 1994 was too much.

It resulted in the firing of Tom Romeo, the YESCo marketing executive who authorized the two-hour swimsuit shoot that degenerated into a nude video session watched closely by many of the sign company's employees.

Romeo filed a wrongful termination lawsuit and a jury in District Judge Mark Gibbons' courtroom is being asked to award him more than $400,000.

The trial is expected to conclude the week of June 8, and if YESCo is found to be at fault, a later hearing would determine if punitive damages are warranted.

Romeo is seeking the settlement because he was instrumental in selling the city of Las Vegas and downtown casinos on the Fremont Street Experience light show -- eventually installed by YESCo, he said.

The $400,000, he contends, would have been his commission, but he was fired just before the deal was set.

Romeo's position was supported by former Las Vegas Mayor Bill Briare, who was head of the Downtown Progress Association, and Kenny Wynn, casino mogul Steve Wynn's brother who supervised the Fremont Street Experience construction.

YESCo lawyers told the jury that the commission rightfully went to the executive who finalized the deal, and none of the allegedly lost commission went into YESCo coffers.

Romeo currently is working for YESCo's competitor AdArt.