Judge tosses suit over alleged discrimination of Forum Shops nightclub patrons

Poetry nightclub, shown in this file photo, was inside the Forum Shops at Caesars above Wolfgang Puck’s Chinois restaurant.

U.S. District Judge James Mahan in Las Vegas on Monday dismissed a lawsuit alleging discrimination by Caesars Palace and the Forum Shops at Caesars.

Operators of the now-closed Poetry Nightclub charged Caesars and Simon Property Group of Indianapolis, owner of the Forum Shops mall, had discriminated against black patrons by unfairly blocking the main entrance to the mall and Poetry late at night and required patrons to enter through a back entrance.

Court records show Mahan dismissed Poetry's claims after a non-jury trial.

"We are pleased that after a weeklong trial during which all parties presented their evidence, Judge Mahan found every allegation of discrimination against Caesars and Simon Property Group was without merit," Gary Selesner, president of Caesars Palace, said in a statement. "The ruling is an affirmation of our long-standing commitments to diversity and to providing guests from all walks of life with great service and entertainment."

Caesars and Simon Property Group had argued the main entrance to the Forum Shops from the casino floor was closed at late night when Poetry operated for security reasons.

Caesars said it closed that entrance in August 2007 "in response to serious breaches of the peace that put Caesars' patrons, employees and others on Caesars' premises at risk of physical harm."

"These violent incidents included a shooting that injured and hospitalized two patrons," Caesars attorneys said in a court filing.

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