Treasure Island challenges benefits for former workers

Thursday, Feb. 10, 2000 | 10:57 a.m.

Treasure Island Corp. filed two petitions challenging the Employment Security Division's decision to award unemployment benefits to two former hotel-casino workers.

In two petitions filed in January at Clark County District Court, Treasure Island is seeking court orders to deny unemployment benefits to Alma Pullman, a former cashier; and Jose Diaz, a maintenance worker. Both were allegedly fired for misconduct.

In the first petition, Treasure Island said the state's decision to award compensation benefits to Pullman was wrong because it had arbitrarily disregarded evidence and an eyewitness proving that Pullman violated its company policy when she allegedly drank on the job.

The hotel-casino said Pullman, who was employed from Oct. 30, 1993, through Aug. 24, 1999, had allegedly admitted being guilty of such misconduct.

In a separate petition challenging the state's decision to award unemployment benefits to Diaz, Treasure Island said Diaz exhibited "substantial disregard" for his work assignment by taking unauthorized breaks and allegedly failed to complete his duties on time.

The petition said Diaz, who was hired as an air conditioner repairman from Sep. 20, 1993, through Sep. 2, 1999, was at Treasure Island's spa on Aug. 27, 1999, changing a light bulb when he allegedly stopped for a drink in the TV lounge area. Treasure Island said a co-worker was forced to cover his other duties.

Officials at the state agency could not be reached for comment.