Nevada Casino Faces Allegations of False Imprisonment, Abuse of Employee

Article by : Erik Gibbs Mar 25, 2024

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In Las Vegas, Nevada, legal action has been taken against a Laughlin casino resort by the State following reports of physical assault against a terminated employee.

Filed on February 24 by Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford, the complaint targets the Donald J. Laughlin Gaming Trust, operating as the Riverside Resort and Casino, seeking unspecified disciplinary measures in response to the incident.

The complaint alleges that on or about August 9, 2022, an unidentified employee was escorted to the casino’s security office on suspicion of smoking marijuana during work hours. However, the employee denied the allegation, and no witnesses or surveillance footage supported the claim.

Moreover, there were no reports of marijuana odor detected on the employee. Consequently, the human resources department instructed a security officer to send the employee home pending further investigation.

The complaint alleges that hotel security instead offered him a choice between a drug test or immediate resignation, leading to his termination after a tense exchange.

When the employee attempted to leave, he was blocked by security officers, triggering a physical altercation where he was forcibly restrained and punched multiple times. Despite calling for police assistance, security falsely claimed the employee assaulted them.

Following his restraint, the employee was confined to a holding cell by resort security, despite his complaints about the tightness of the handcuffs.

A subsequent search failed to uncover any evidence against him. However, upon his return to the cell, a confrontation ensued, resulting in the alleged striking of his head against a metal wall by officers.

The complaint reveals that the employee remained unresponsive on the cell floor for approximately 18 minutes before being revived by security. He was then seated until the arrival of LVMPD officers.

Subsequent investigation by Metro officers determined that the employee was not involved in any criminal activity. Instead, they identified him as a potential victim of wrongdoing.

The complaint detailed various potential offenses against the employee, including battery, coercion with force and false imprisonment.

It revealed that during police interviews, a security officer admitted there was no valid reason to subject the employee to a drug test. He also acknowledged that the employee should have been allowed to leave freely.

In response to these allegations, the Justice Court of Laughlin Township issued arrest warrants for all four implicated security officers on March 27, 2023.

Additionally, the complaint recounted another incident from 2022, where security allegedly injured a patron. This occurred when security attempted to remove the patron from the premises on July 5, 2022, for perceived interference with a slot drop. Despite initial resistance, the patron eventually complied and left after playing on machines that needed attention.

The complaint also outlined yet another event where a security member insulted a patron’s accent, escalating into a physical confrontation when the patron objected. Despite attempts by security to restrain him, the patron sustained facial injuries during the altercation.

Subsequently, the patron was handcuffed and taken to a hospital due to a leg injury. The complaint concluded by alleging two counts of improper operational practices, calling for compensation for each violation.