Legal struggles continue for Convention Center

Wednesday, March 1, 2000 | 10:53 a.m.

The Venetian hotel-casino has filed a motion opposing the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority's bid to dismiss the Venetian's federal civil rights suit against the LVCVA.

The motion, filed in U.S. District Court last week, says LVCVA President Manny Cortez has been authorized to file a suit against the Venetian and "the admitted purpose of the LVCVA's action is to discourage future public criticism against it."

The Venetian contends the LVCVA's action violates the company's rights to free speech, access to the courts and to petition the government for redress of grievances.

"The result is that the LVCVA has sent a bold and vivid message to all citizens and businesses: 'The LVCVA will sue you if you dare challenge the LVCVA's policies,"' the motion says.

The LVCVA authorized Cortez to sue the Venetian to recover the additional costs of delays in the construction of a convention center expansion project. The LVCVA says the Venetian's legal tactics have added at least $10 million to the cost of the project.

The company that owns the Venetian also operates the Sands Expo Center, which competes with the LVCVA for convention business.

The suit in federal court is one of four pending legal actions involving the convention center expansion project. The Venetian plans to appeal an October ruling on the legality of using revenue bonds for the project and it has filed suit in Clark County District Court over the sale of those bonds in November.

An environmental group also has threatened a suit accusing the agency of violating the Clean Air Act by building the project.