Columnist Kate Maddox: Death at C2K to prompt lawsuit

Kate Maddox

Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2000 | 9:41 a.m.

Kate Maddox's column appears Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at kmaddox@lasvegassun.com.

Plans are in the works for legal action to be taken against the Venetian and the company that leased and operated the now-defunct first incarnation of Club C2K.

The family of Danielle Heird, the 21-year-old woman who died after taking Ecstasy and partying at C2K in July, is scheduled to hold a press conference Wednesday to announce plans to sue the hotel, club and individuals whom they believe allegedly sold Heird the illegal drugs.

Private investigator Thomas Dillard, who played a part in gathering details for the infamous Ted Binion murder case, has been working with the Heirds and their attorney, E. Brent Bryson.

On Monday the Venetian was unaware of the impending legal action and therefore had no comment.

Insiders are now saying that Rick Springfield and the MGM are thisclose to finalizing terms for Springfield to fill Tommy Tune's shoes when he leaves in January.

Springfield's manager Ron Weisner confirmed that both parties are indeed "in discussions," but he says Springfield hasn't decided what he will do.

(Hmmm, take over a multimillion-dollar Las Vegas production, or continue touring small venues in middle America playing to soccer moms and 1980s "General Hospital" fans ... wow, that's a toughie.)

Springfield is on tour in Wisconsin. The MGM would not return repeated calls for comment.

Springfield should recognize the tremendous career boost of a Vegas headlining opportunity. When the then-59-year-old Tune took over for David Cassidy in 1998, he added more dancing to the production to emphasize his renowned hoofing talents. (And he got to redo the dressing room. Bonus!)

Tune also managed a financial coup. Some reports had the Broadway star raking in over $100,000 a week for "EFX." Tune's New York pals confirmed "gobs of money" was what lured the Tony winner to Las Vegas.

As for the 51-year-old Springfield, the only development that might have halted the signing process was his September arrest for spousal abuse. But the former pinup patched things up with his wife, and the district attorney has since dropped all charges against him.

Springfield's expected "EFX" announcement should coincide with a mini-comeback of sorts. His new album is due out in January, and he will be the subject of an A&E biography in February.

Harrison Ford was one of the stars at Saturday night's Lennox Lewis-David Tua heavyweight-title fight. The actor, who is this week's People magazine cover boy, also attended the post-bout bash at the House of Blues, courtesy of HBO. Ford and his wife, Melissa Mathison, announced Tuesday that they had separated, fueling a rumor mill so fierce that most celebs wouldn't dare leave the house.

But a fearless Ford took it in stride -- he even made the scene at the Foundation Room post-party.

Lauren Hutton's publicist would not comment on why the actress has decided to recuperate from her motorcycle accident in a Venetian suite instead of returning home to New York.

Joe Quenqua, who represents Hutton for uber-PR firm PMK, said there would be another statement only if and when the model/actress decides to skip town, and not before.

Hutton got the red-carpet treatment (literally) when she was wheeled into the hotel following her release from the hospital. And according to a Venetian source has been "resting comfortably" ever since