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December 3, 2009

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Aug. 2 hearing set for convention center suit

Thursday, July 22, 1999 | 11:09 a.m.

Hearings on the Venetian's lawsuit against the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and Clark County are set to begin Aug. 2.

State Judge James C. Mahan will consider the defendants' motion to dismiss the case. The Venetian sued earlier this month, attempting to block the county's issuance of $150 million in municipal tax-free bonds to fund the 1.3 million-square-foot expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The Venetian asked the court to find the issuance illegal, and to postpone it until a voter referendum can be held on the issue. The LVCVA contends that since the bonds will be repaid with convention center profits, rather than tax dollars, a voter referendum is unnecessary. LVCVA also contends that the Venetian is attempting to block new competition for its Sands Expo Center, rather than acting out of concern for county taxpayers.

The authority has argued that an extended delay in the expansion will result in the loss of convention business, and could cost local businesses billions of dollars. Morgan Stanley & Co., which was supposed to sell the bonds July 13, has put the sale on hold, pending a resolution of the legal dispute.

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