Las Vegas Weekly

August 29, 2008 · 12 PM

Nightclub lawyers demand apology, retraction for anonymous letter

By Robin Leach

Against the background of the ongoing IRS probe into Pure’s "line-fishing tipping systems," a major controversy has broken out over an anonymous, unsigned letter that was reportedly sent to the Enforcement Division of the Nevada Gaming Commission. Lawyers for the rival Prive nightclub at the Planet Hollywood resort casino have immediately demanded “a retraction and apology” from a local food and beverage magazine Web site that mysteriously posted the only copy under the shocking headline "PRIVE EXPOSED."

An investigation is underway to confirm who masterminded the letter, and who wrote and mailed it. For the record, Pure supports the Web site and the magazine with a steady monthly advertising commitment. Also for the record, two of the Prive managing partners were senior employees previously at Pure Management Group who had opened the company’s nightclub venues.

Earlier this week the Web site reported: “We received a letter from Prive's attorney, Christopher Mathews of Lionel Sawyer & Collins. The letter demanded a retraction and an apology for the anonymous letter that we posted claiming that we were provided with false and libelous information. The letter outlined in detail each point that was brought up. Out of respect to Planet Hollywood and Prive's Justine Levine (whom we have never met), we decided that we (were) more than willing to retract the posting of the anonymous letter that was sent to our office on August 12th.

“However, there was no purpose to apologize for the contents of an unsolicited anonymous letter that we happened to receive and had absolutely nothing to do with. We asked for a written letter from the attorney's office releasing us and holding us harmless to any current or future lawsuits pertaining to his letter dated August 14th. Then we would retract. His response was puzzling to say the least because we accepted his request:

** "I've reviewed your recent email regarding my August 14, 2008 letter concerning the false and libelous content appearing on your website. Your proposal -- that you will fulfill your legal obligation to remove the material and take remedial action, including posting a retraction and apology, only in exchange for a release from liability for "any current or future lawsuits -- is unacceptable and is hereby rejected.”**

UPDATE: A 16-page lawsuit for libel, defamation and extortion has now been filed by Prive's lawyers against the website's owner. You can read the entire document at www.citmedialaw.org/sites/citmedialaw.org/files/2008-08-20-Prive%20Complaint.pdf

Luxe Life will continue to monitor this legal furor as it develops.

Share This