Former CineVegas festival director loses round in court

Bill Gang

Tuesday, Dec. 7, 1999 | 9:55 a.m.

District Judge Ron Parraguirre has rejected a bid by the fired executive director of this week's CineVegas International Film Festival to freeze the assets of the fledgling event pending the outcome of her wrongful termination lawsuit.

Parraguirre on Monday also refused to order that the festival give Michele LeBlanc tickets to the event.

LeBlanc last month filed a District Court lawsuit against Reel Las Vegas Inc., the company producing the festival, alleging breach of contract and defamation.

LeBlanc wanted the assets frozen to ensure she can be paid if she wins an arbitration in her dispute.

LeBlanc claims she orchestrated a "world-class festival ... with multiple galas, seminars and other events" but much of what she did was canceled or downsized.

Still, LeBlanc contends she is owed tens of thousands of dollars for what she accomplished, including the sale of sponsorships to such entities as the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, R&R Advertising, Las Vegas Events and Greenspun Media Group.

CineVegas was first held a year ago with 29 films being shown, including the world premiere screening of "Star Trek: Insurrection."

The lawsuit says that LeBlanc was told this year's festival should have about 20 films being shown over three days. But she orchestrated the event to have about 100 films and cover six days.

Since her termination, the number of films has been cut back to about 80 that will be shown through Saturday.