Woman suing Rodman wants video examined

Greg Tuttle

Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2000 | 10:41 a.m.

A videotape that may show a former Las Vegas Hilton cocktail waitress being fondled by former basketball star Dennis Rodman should be examined by an expert, say attorneys for the woman who filed a federal lawsuit following the incident.

In a separate motion filed Monday in U.S. District Court, an attorney for Gloria Chapa also is asking a judge to issue an emergency order requiring the hotel-casino and Rodman to turn over evidence of similar alleged attacks by the former NBA player on other women.

Chapa filed the lawsuit in July 1999 after she was fired from the Hilton when she complained Rodman had grabbed her breasts when she served him a drink in June 1998. At least four other lawsuits have been filed against Rodman by Las Vegas hotel employees, but most of the cases have been settled out of court.

According to Chapa's attorney, David Pancoast, a video camera captured images of Rodman touching Chapa. But copies of the video are of poor quality and the original should be turned over to an expert hired by Chapa, the attorney said.

The tape would be examined by Applied Forensic Technologies International, a company owned by former U.S. Secret Service agent Steve Cain, Pancoast said in court documents.

Rodman has denied groping Chapa, claiming the touching was inadvertent. Chapa claims Rodman grabbed her breasts and pinched her when she bent down to serve him.

Chapa's lawsuit seeks unspecified damages from Rodman and the Hilton.