Self-proclaimed journalist files defamation suit against mall

Monday, Feb. 12, 2001 | 11:01 a.m.

A Las Vegas woman, allegedly accused by TrizecHahn Development Corp. and a marketing director, Paul Beirnes, of being a "fraudulent journalist ... soliciting complimentary meals" at Desert Passage Mall restaurants, sued TrizecHahn and Beirnes for defamation.

In a Clark County District Court suit, Marlene Prendeville alleged they published a defamatory memo on Oct. 23 to 21 restaurants at the Desert Passage mall and the attached Aladdin hotel-casino allegedly describing her as "conniving" and having a "tendency to rack up expensive tabs for free meals" and saying she "berates staff and chefs."

Prendeville, whom her attorney, Herbert Sachs, says is a freelance journalist, also disputed the defendants' allegations that she is "on record with the Las Vegas News Bureau as being fraudulent."

Prendeville said the allegations are untrue and "made to harm (her) reputation in her trade."

An attorney for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, which owns the news bureau, declined comment on the allegations.

The defendants could not be reached for comment.

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