Las Vegas Weekly

July 29, 2009 · 1:04 PM

Sapphire Pool closed indefinitely

By Deanna Rilling

Ladies, get your hands off those balls. The party's over.

Photo: Courtesy of Harrah's Entertainment

The plug was pulled over the weekend on the Sapphire pool retreat at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. The topless pool has been closed indefinitely.

The following is a statement from the Rio’s management:

“On July 25, 2009, the Rio requested the cooperation of LVMPD in conducting a routine integrity check of the resort’s topless pool area. The Rio’s management and security team have a history of maintaining a close working relationship with the LVMPD.

As a follow-up to the check conducted by LVMPD, the Rio decided to suspend the operation its Sapphire European-style (topless) pool indefinitely. The Rio pool complex remains open to guests; however, the property decided to suspend a topless sunbathing option at the resort.”

Metro Police spokesman Officer Bill Cassell told the Weekly today that LVMPD was invited by the Rio to perform a routine inspection to ensure operations were being run in accordance with current statutes.

Following the inspection by non-uniformed officers last weekend, “A small number of arrests were made for prostitution related activities,” said Cassell. However, while the investigation is still underway, he could neither confirm nor deny whether the individuals arrested were employees of Sapphire.

“The decision to close the topless pool was made by Harrah’s,” said Cassell. He added that Metro did not order the pool’s closure, nor did they make the suggestion operations should be suspended.

Reps for Sapphire had no official statement regarding the pool’s closure, but Sapphire’s poker tournament at the Hard Rock on Friday will continue as planned.

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