Columnist Kate Maddox: Hazy issues shrouding Light

Kate Maddox

Friday, Oct. 19, 2001 | 4:20 a.m.

Sasson, who also owns a Light in Manhattan and two clubs in the Hamptons, is a major player in the Lizzie Grubman case.

Grubman, as you might recall, is the uber-publicist-to-the-stars who made headlines over the summer when she allegedly gunned her Mercedes SUV and ran over a group of people outside one of Sasson's hot spots in the upscale New York vacation haunt.

Sasson, a former beau of Grubman's who drove the PR powerhouse from the scene of the accident, has reportedly been avoiding his old girlfriend by hanging out in Vegas and pouring his efforts into the opening of Light. And if you believe the New York gossip pages, the reason he has spent so much time in Vegas is because of his grand jury testimony in New York.

Sasson -- who might be a key witness for the prosecution -- reportedly ratted out Grubman, claiming she was drinking before the accident, which she denies. Grubman's powerful pals are crying foul and trashing Sasson's name and rep back on the East Coast, which might very well be the reason for the club guru's newfound love of Vegas.

Sen. Harry Reid: The Godfather? Seems Nevada's favorite son might have had a hand in restoring domestic bliss to our matrimonially challenged local politician. One source says that after a meeting in Washington with Sen. Reid, the politico in question saw the light and decided to beg off squiring pretty socialites and patch up things with his wife.

Rumor has it a stern talking-to from family man Reid was enough for the rising-star politician to see that life on the campaign trail would be better with his longtime honey than without. The politician confirmed he is indeed "happily" returning home to be with his family.

The man in charge of Las Vegas' FBI team took a little time out his very busy work schedule to schmooze with the cream of the city's social crop this week. Grant Ashley, the much-respected special agent in charge of the FBI's Vegas bureau, hobnobbed at Spago's reopening festivities, trading in the traditional doughnuts for shrimp cocktail and sushi.

Ashley, who didn't stay long before rushing back to the office, is a longtime friend of Spago managing partner Tom Kaplan.

Which Strip performer will reportedly soon be trading in her lucrative show deal for lessons in parenting?

The popular headliner, who does her thing at one of Vegas' most successful casinos, is rumored to be opting for parenthood over glamour, despite pleas from her producing team to hang on a little longer so the big bucks will keep coming in.

Monti Rock III thinks his star is once again on the rise. Rock rode the '70s disco circuit for a few years before retreating into obscurity, only to return to Las Vegas and claim the title "Hostess with the Mostest."

Now the flamboyant bon vivant is taking meetings with casino presidents and Strip producers and has landed a Halloween show at New York-New York. Rock will host a bash in the hotel's Cabaret Theatre featuring what he calls "street performers" and "New York-style party touches."

Hmmm. All I know is that Rock is feeling Norma Desmond-esque about his look for the spooky soiree. He is in L.A. this weekend, being fitted for a sequined turban.