A Las Vegas newspaper says it has been served a federal grand jury subpoena seeking information about readers who posted comments on the paper's Web site.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported Tuesday that its editor, Thomas Mitchell, plans to fight the request, which the newspaper received after reporting on a federal tax fraud case against business owner Robert Kahre.
The subpoena seeks the identities and personal information about people who posted comments on the story. The newspaper said prosecutors told the judge in the case that some comments hinted at acts of violence and the subpoena was issued out of concern for jurors' safety.
Mitchell said anonymous speech is "a fundamental and historic part of this country." The newspaper would consider cooperating if specific crimes or real threats were presented, he said.
The newspaper said the subpoena bears the name of U.S. Assistant District Attorney J. Gregory Damm, a lawyer on the Justice Department team that is prosecuting Kahre and others on charges including income tax evasion, fraud and criminal conspiracy.
Grand jury proceedings are secret, and the subpoena is not a public record.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney for Nevada declined to comment.
The newspaper said it received the subpoena June 2, a week after its story describing the government's case against Kahre, a Las Vegas construction company executive accused of paying contractors with gold and silver U.S. coins based on the precious metal value of the coins but using the much lower face value of the coins for tax purposes. Kahre and the other defendants have pleaded not guilty.
This year, the 2009 NHL annual awards show will take place in Las Vegas and it’s promising to be a grand event. The show can be seen on Versus in the U.S. starting at 7:30 p.m. ET, and at 8:30 p.m. ET on CBC.
Festivities begin Wednesday June 17th with the NHL Charity Shootout Presented By PokerStars.net. A charity No-Limit Texas Hold ‘em poker game will be held at the Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino and feature top stars from the NHL and the professional poker world playing to raise money for their favorite charities.
Among the NHL stars playing are Roberto Luongo, Alexander Ovechkin, Mike Richards, Jeremy Roenick, Sheldon Souray and Kris Versteeg, as well as former NHL All-Stars Pat LaFontaine, Cam Neely and Luc Robitaille. Professional poker players participating include Chris Moneymaker and Greg Raymer.
But that’s just the appetizer to the big show Thursday at The Palms. That’s where the best of the best from the 2008-09 season will compete to take home the hardware. Again the show can be seen on Versus in the U.S. starting at 7:30 p.m. ET, and at 8:30 p.m. ET on CBC.
A year and a half after opening, The Penthouse Club has undergone a name change. It's now known as Crazy Horse III. A lot of familiar faces came over from Crazy Horse Too, which was closed after a federal investigation sent owner Rick Rizzolo to prison for a year on racketeering charges.
Spice Girl Melanie Brown will be replaced in "Peepshow" (Planet Hollywood Resort) by Broadway star Shosana Bean of "Wicked" when Brown's contract ends June 21. Brown was offered an extension but declined, according to "Peepshow" producer Scott Zeiger. Bean will join Holly Madison as co-leads. Madison takes over for Kelly Monaco, who also chose to leave.
Visitors traveling to Las Vegas this summer can bask in the sun – for free – at any number of the luxurious pools our hotels have to offer. Coupled with enticing room rates during the summer months, guests can relax poolside while taking advantage of everything the Strip has to offer. See below for a few examples…
Excalibur – Room rates starting at $31/night
A paradise fit for royalty, the Excalibur Pool doubled its size last year and now features four pools and 17 private cabanas, stocked with all the essentials to keep cool. Steps away from the pool, Drenched offers causal poolside dining featuring all-American fare and a full-service bar.
MGM Grand – Room rates starting at $80/night
What makes the Grand Pool Complex Maximum Vegas? 5 swimming pools, 3 whirlpools, river and waterfalls – and like any exotic paradise, the Grand Pool Complex is surrounded by lush foliage, bridges, fountains and waterfalls. Guests can continue over to WET REPUBLIC, a quintessential Vegas pool party combining the best elements of Vegas nightlife with supreme poolside amenities. Hotel guests can enjoy free admission on select days/times.
Mandalay Bay – Room rates starting at $110/night
A perennial crowd favorite, Mandalay Bay Beach features
11 acres of aquatic relaxation including a wave pool, lazy river, three
swimming pools, 2,700 tons of real sand and the only climate-controlled
poolside gaming on The Strip. Atop the three-story Beachside Casino,
the Villas Soleil raise the bar for cabanas with spectacular views of
Mandalay Bay Beach.
Impressionist Danny Gans' death last month was caused by a combination of heart and blood diseases and a powerful prescription painkiller used to treat chronic pain, the Clark County coroner said Tuesday.
The death was ruled accidental.
"Mr. Gans' health conditions placed him at greater risk for heart irregularities, and the hydromorphone was a factor that exacerbated those risks," Coroner Mike Murphy said at a news conference.
The official cause of death was
acute hydromorphone toxicity because of chronic pain syndrome.
Hydromorphone is a strong synthetic opioid commonly known as Dilaudid.
Fresh from her sold-out shows in Las
Vegas, Britney Spears will return to the U.S. and Canada for an
extension of her popular "Circus" tour, repeating some locations
including Las Vegas. Spears will perform at 8 p.m. on Sept. 26 and 27 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. She last appeared in April at the MGM Grand (which also owns Mandalay). Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster with all its service charges and any of the Mandalay Bay box offices. Ticket prices have not yet been announcedl.
