Judge rejects effort by casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson to move deposition

Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson will have to appear at a Las Vegas law office for a deposition in an overtime case against him, a judge ruled today in rejecting claims this would endanger Adelson’s security.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Carl Hoffman rejected a motion by attorneys for the casino billionaire that he order that Adelson’s deposition in an overtime lawsuit be held at Adelson’s secure office or at the equally secure federal courthouse.

Instead, Adelson will be deposed at the Las Vegas office of the law firm Campbell & Williams, which is representing plaintiffs in two overtime lawsuits against Las Vegas Sands and has litigated against Adelson and Las Vegas Sands in other cases.

Hoffman noted Adelson had been deposed previously at the Campbell & Williams offices without incident and that during the planned deposition, as in the past, Adelson’s armed security detail can be in and outside the office.

Hoffman said attorneys for Adelson, in trying to move the deposition, had failed to meet a burden to show that having the deposition at the Campbell & Williams office would subject Adelson to "annoyance, embarrassment, undue burden or expense.’’

The lawsuit at issue today was filed by a former personal driver for Adelson and his family who claims to be owed overtime. It was filed in June at the same time nine executive security officers for the Adelson family sued for overtime.

Las Vegas Sands has denied any overtime violations.

Attorney Donald Campbell, in arguing against moving the deposition from his office, argued that the location is safe with state-of-the-art security and that Adelson shouldn't receive special treatment in this case.

Attorney Patrick Hicks, representing Adelson, said the billionaire is involved in political causes and security is a paramount concern for him. Hicks noted Campbell’s office is on a corner in a residential area a few blocks from the courthouse and is not in a gated community.

Campbell said the deposition could be held in a room with no windows to alleviate safety concerns.

Campbell also filed a DVD with the court of a previous deposition he took of Adelson in which Las Vegas Sands claims Campbell lost his temper and tried to throw books at Adelson, prompting an Adelson security agent to attend the rest of the deposition.

The context of this claim is that according to Las Vegas Sands, Campbell has objected to having a deposition again at Adelson's office because of distractions there including him being intimidated by the armed security agent.

Campbell said the claim he tried to throw books at Adelson is false. The DVD backs up his account.

It shows Adelson directing a staff member to put books in front of Campbell.

"That's our application for Singapore (apparently the gaming license there),'' Adelson said during the deposition.

"Thank you for sharing that with us,'' said Campbell, who actually wasn't interested since the case was about Macau.

"I'm just going to put it on the floor, if you don't mind,'' Campbell is heard saying.

With the camera on Adelson, Adelson said: "Put it on the table there.''

"No I don't think I will, Mr. Adelson,'' Campbell said.

"I think we'll put a stop to this deposition. If the man wants to be discourteous and throw documents on the floor. I think he ought to behave himself in a more exemplary manner,'' Adelson said.

Later, Adelson said: "I'll continue if you bend down and pick up the papers you threw on the floor — so you evidence to me that you're not as violent as you appear to be.''

Campbell said: "I didn't throw anything on the floor.''

The attorney later said: "Here's a news flash: I'm not a busboy and I don't work for you. I work for them (his clients) and I'm not taking orders or directions from you.''

Commenting on the armed agent at the deposition, Campbell said: ``I'm not going to sit next to a guy who has a weapon on him.''