Resort sued by former executive

Wednesday, March 1, 2000 | 11:15 a.m.

A former senior executive of the Regent Las Vegas hotel-casino, formerly the Resort at Summerlin, sued its parent company Swiss Casinos of America Inc. and Seven Circle Resort Inc. over his firing.

Jim Fonseca, the resort's former chief operating officer and senior vice president, alleged he was wrongfully fired because the resort blamed him for its poor initial financial performance.

Fonseca said the resort fared below expectations because it opened with many of its amenities unfinished despite a three and a half month delay in its opening.

The suit said the resort opened on July 15 with only 200 of its 540 rooms and suites, two of 10 restaurants and one of six retail outlets open. Not open were its pool, garden, conference center, health spa and high limit slots and table areas, the suit said.

Fonseca, who said he was responsible only for the resort's day-to-day operations, not its construction, alleged there was no opportunity to test the various information systems or to complete the on-site training program because the resort failed to meet its construction schedule. Fonseca, who was hired by Seven Circle Resort in August 1992 and making $375,000 a year at the time he was fired on Aug. 30, claims the company breached an oral contract that allegedly guaranteed he had the right of continued employment.

Fonseca, who holds a 4 percent stake in Swiss Casinos, alleged the value of his shareholdings was diluted because the resort opened an unfinished facility. He said Swiss Casinos also failed to provide him with any of its books or records despite his shareholdership.

"We have been served with the complaint and are reviewing the matter and will answer Fonseca's allegations when we answer the filing in court," responded Sean McGuiness, the resort's assistant general counsel.