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Left: Plaintiff Richard Suen appears in District Court Thursday, April 17, 2008. Right: Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman Sheldon Adelson gives testimony during the a trial resulting from a lawsuit by Suen. (Photos by Leila Navidi/Las Vegas Sun)
Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010 | 4:30 p.m.
Sun Archives
- Las Vegas Sands disputes businessman’s role in landing Macau contract (9-2-10)
- Sheldon Adelson appeals $58.6 million judgment (8-31-09)
- Las Vegas Sands settlement cancels trial over Macau interests (6-4-09)
- Sands leader’s exit comes amid tests (3-11-09)
- Sands attorney’s arsenal includes name-calling (4-30-08)
- A mogul’s softer side (4-19-08)
Sun Coverage
CARSON CITY – The Nevada Supreme Court has overturned a $43.8 million judgment against Las Vegas Sands and its officers in a dispute over efforts to obtain a casino license in Macau.
The court ruled that District Judge Michelle Leavitt was wrong in refusing to give a jury instruction and in admitting hearsay statements during the 29-day trial.
The suit had been brought by Richard Suen and his company against Sands and its officers, Sheldon Adelson and William Weidner, saying it was his work that got Sands a license in Macau.
Suen set up meetings among Adelson, Weidner and officials of the People’s Republic of China, the overseer of Macau. Weidner offered to pay a success fee to Suen and his Round Square Company Limited if Sands obtained a Macau gaming license.
But Suen never got a payment, and a jury in Las Vegas awarded Suen and his group $43.8 million.
Instead of a payment, Adelson offered Suen a deal where he would work as a purchasing agent for Sands and said it was worth $100 million. But Suen refused the offer when Adelson refused to guarantee a minimum payment of $25 million. The offer also said Suen could be fired at any time, leaving him with no compensation.
The Supreme Court said Leavitt committed an error in granting a summary judgment barring Suen from filing a breach of contract suit.
In its decision, the court said Judge Leavitt erred in admitting hearsay evidence without giving a limited instruction to the jury. The statement was made by Weidner after giving a deposition. He made an out-of-court statement involving how Suen may have helped Sands obtain a gaming license.
The court said multiple-hearsay statements may not be admitted into evidence “simply because the adverse party heard a rumor on an issue.”
The court also said Leavitt failed to give the jury an instruction sought by Sands that the People’s Republic of China had obeyed the law in the transaction.
Suen tried to show that the People’s Republic of China violated the basic law of not interfering in the granting of a casino license.
The court also reinstated Suen’s claim that Sands breached its contract in the negotiations. The case now returns to district court for further proceedings.
Adelson needs to back off the Lady Clairol.
Once again, Adelson has never seen a bill that he plans on paying.
Just how many dollars did Adelson give the the Supreme Court Justices this term?
Las Vegas Law = BRIBES! (or is it just 'campaign contributions'?)
Sung to the tune of Roger Miller's Hit: "King of the Road"
"Judges for sale or Rent....Courts for Sale 50 cents...I'm a man of means by no means...king of the strip..."
Good decision by the supreme court of NV. I suspect Judge Leavitt is a liberal who was trying to get even with Adelson because he's a Republican supporter. Let's see how it turns out now!
GeorgeWashington: What's religion got to do with it?
Together we can build a communist empire.
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Sheldon's deep pockets win again. A cab driver's son who stiffed so many contractors here in the 90's; he has no conscience and no soul. Luckily, he looks like he won't be around too much longer. Go away, bad man.
The Plaintiff may get a piece of Adelson after all on the breach of contract claim back in District Court.
Of course, the State Supreme Court had to overturn on the evidential errors. Retrial fun now! How do we spell settlement?
Good one mred. I love Roger Miller.