Columnist Kate Maddox: Juror’s ex hints at ulterior motives

Kate Maddox

Tuesday, May 8, 2001 | 8:26 a.m.

Kate Maddox's column appears Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 259-2309 or kmaddox@lasvegassun.com

Remember Juror No. 11 in the Margaret Rudin trial? The one whose antics almost stopped the proceedings? The one who contends she was bullied into voting for a conviction? The one who mouthed an apology to Rudin as the verdict was read and then burst into tears?

Well, all that drama has paid off.

Coreen Kovacs, the infamous juror, has reportedly sold her story to a "national magazine," according to a source. She also lined up an interview with "48 Hours."

But Danny Kovacs, who was married to the Rudin juror for 20 years and is a retired police detective in Pittsburgh, says the public should be wary of his estranged spouse's claims.

"She's told all sorts of lies about everything," said Kovacs on the telephone from Pennsylvania. "Her only goal is to get attention."

Granted, it doesn't sound like the Kovacs were anything close to Ward and June, but Danny Kovacs is pretty sure his ex is monetarily motivated. "She's out to get as much money as she can (from this trial)," Kovacs fumed. "She's a schmoozer. One minute she's laughing, one minute she's crying." Kovacs has reportedly tried to serve his wife with divorce papers ever since they separated 18 months ago, but true to form, she keeps changing her mind, he contends.

Coreen Kovacs could not be reached for comment.

All that tribute-ing the music industry practices throughout the year has led to a collaboration. Las Vegas will reap the benefits of this sing-along glad-handing when Paul Simon and Brian Wilson take the stage at Mandalay Bay on June 22. See, Wilson sang Simon's "Sounds of Silence" earlier this year at a Simon tribute, and Simon returned the favor last month when he performed Wilson's "Surfer Girl" at a Wilson tribute. The two aging rockers formed a friendship, and Wilson joined the tour. Tickets to the Vegas show will go on sale Saturday, with prices in the $40-$50 range.

Andre-Philippe Gagnon took the stage Sunday night at the Showroom at the Venetian and walked away with a standing ovation. Gagnon had called off his show on Saturday night after a curtain mysteriously fell during the end of Melinda, the First Lady of Magic's, performance.

But his return to the stage doesn't necessarily mean things are rosy in Contract Land. The impressionist is still battling with H & H of Nevada to ensure that his show schedule is not cut back, and Melinda's inflated. Gagnon's team reportedly contends that scaling back shows is not an option stated in his signed deal, but H & H apparently disagrees. A decision on Gagnon's future is expected shortly, and as ugly as the curtain mishap was, look for the legal wrangling to get even uglier.

Potential "Storm"-watchers were baffled this week when Mandalay Bay box office representatives informed them that tickets to the show were not being sold past May 27. What with all the closure rumors, the wannabe audience members were certain they'd missed the chance to see the dance/special-effects/Latin production.

Not to worry. Skies are still clear. Gordon Absher, director of public relations for the hotel, insists tickets through the end of June are available for purchase today. He also explained that they were held back because Mandalay Bay wanted to be flexible with the new production until an "evaluated decision" about its schedule and such could be made. Absher added that "Storm" is contracted for an indefinite run.