Trial set for Palms owner George Maloof on DUI charge

By Dave Toplikar

Monday, Jan. 10, 2011 | 8:33 a.m.

George Maloof Jr., owner of the Palms resort-casino in Las Vegas, will have a trial at the end of May for drunken driving charges stemming from a traffic stop in early October.

Justice of the Peace Eric Goodman set Maloof's trial for 9 a.m. May 31 in Las Vegas Justice Court.

Maloof, 46, did not appear at his arraignment Monday morning on the misdemeanor charge, but was represented by attorney Wade Rabenhorst.

Maloof was charged with driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, speeding, making an improper turn, driving without a valid license and operation of a motor vehicle without security, according to a criminal complaint.

Maloof was stopped at 11:36 p.m. Oct. 9 near Spanish Trail Country Club in the southwest valley, where he lives, and was booked into the Clark County Detention Center. He was released from jail the next day.

Metro officers stopped Maloof after clocking him going 72 mph in a 45 mph zone, officials said. He failed three sobriety tests, according to an arrest report.

Maloof has said he had four beers and was driving home with his assistant from a friend's wedding about six miles away. Maloof also told officers he had taken Ambien, a prescription sleep aid, prior to driving, according to the arrest report.