Suits filed against Harrah’s over biker fight in Laughlin

Wednesday, April 28, 2004 | 9:23 a.m.

A local attorney has filed three more lawsuits against Harrah's Laughlin alleging the hotel knew there was a fight brewing between Hells Angels and Mongols motorcycle club gang members during the April 2002 Laughlin River Run and did nothing to stop it.

The suits, filed by attorney Brent Bryson in District Court on Monday, allege Harrah's is liable for the fight that broke out and that Harrah's negligent handling of the fight and its aftermath exacerbated the physical and emotional harm caused to the six plaintiffs named. Bryson filed a similar lawsuit in January for two other plaintiffs.

Bryson said his clients are all innocent bystanders and not affiliated with any motorcycle gangs. He said his clients were gambling in Harrah's the night of the fight and were falsely detained.

All eight of Bryson's plaintiffs -- California residents Kathy and Steven Fuller, Andrea and Dean Daniels, Robert Garcia and Noi Lewis and Arizona residents Kristi Schoenleber and Alan Hendrickson -- were herded into a room after the shootout and forced to wait for hours without medical attention, water or food, Bryson said.

"Harrah's was spending much more time and attention into cleaning up their casino then paying attention to their patrons," Bryson said.

David Strow, spokesman for Harrah's Entertainment, said his company does not comment on pending litigation.

Metro Police sealed off Harrah's in the aftermath of the melee while officers investigated. The fight took place early Saturday morning and the hotel reopened Sunday afternoon.

The suit alleges that all eight plaintiffs were wrongfully detained in a large room with both victims and suspects and were dropped off in the middle of town at noon the next day instead of being allowed back to their Harrah's hotel rooms.

All of the lawsuits ask for damages in excess of $10,000. Bryson said he did not have a more specific amount in mind because some clients suffered physical injuries and others continue to suffer from varying amounts of emotional distress.

Bryson said he contemplated suing the Hells Angels and Mongols who have been indicted in the brawl -- 42 in federal court and nine in Clark County District Court last week -- but he said he and his clients believe Harrah's was primarily responsible.

The suit for Garcia and Noi alleges that while they did not witness the actual fight, they were also detained from returning to their hotel room at Harrah's. Unable to retrieve his medication, Garcia suffered from multiple seizures, the suit says.