Yesterday afternoon, I was a "victim" of a shocking and distressing incident at the Mirage Hotel in which I was stalked, harassed, intimidated, and threatened by a hateful dim-witted security guard in the employ of MGM properties (and the Mirage Casino).
Mid-afternoon, after I posted a couple of news items on the Tattler, I strolled up to the Mirage to play a few leisurely slots and have a sip on a cocktail before heading back to my Hotel.
As I entered the front entrance on Las Vegas Boulevard, I noticed a security guard in a black outfit standing to my left.
As I strode down the corridor to the Casino floor, out-of-the-corner of my eye I spied the heavyset guard turn on-his-heel immediately and proceed to stalk me.
I should point out that a few years ago, I completed a course in Private Investigations, and that I have a certificate to pursue a career in this area of work.
I was taught how to detect a "tail", how to follow an individual surreptitiously without their knowledge (unlike the incompetent idiot who was lumbering behind me), and gather facts and evidence to prepare for a criminal or civil trial.
Hence, the reason I spotted his highly irregular conduct in violation of my rights immediately.
Once I was inside the Casino, I proceeded to the Players Club to pick up a copy of my Rewards Card, so I would rack up points on the slots when I gambled.
Yes, I have been a guest of the Hotel for years.
Also, I have reported on concerts and events at the Mirage - and given the Hotel tons of free publicity at the Tattler - without a dime or so much as a thank-you from the owners or management!
The last article was on the 5th Anniversary party of "LOVE" at Cirque de Soleil which was attended by Paul McCartney and twitter-buddy Yoko Ono.
Post: 06/08/2011
http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2011/06/lovepaul-mccartney-yoko-ono-dhani.html
Shortly after I received the card in hand from the clerk at the desk, he pointed me in the direction of the nearest men's room, where I proceeded to take a whiz.
When I exited the "John", I spotted another suspicious-looking male hiding behind a pillar a few feet away staring at me and taking note of my actions!
"They sure do employ a lot of creepy characters with mental and emotional problems at the Mirage," I thought to myself, as I strode to the bank of casinos to place a bet.
At this juncture, I thought that the security guard would figure out I was a regular customer and wander off to engage in legitimate activities he was employed to monitor.
However, he persisted with his obnoxious insulting behaviour, which I began to find quite discriminatory and intimidating in nature.
So, I plunked myself down at slot machine, fed in a buck, and proceeded to gamble a bit so he'd know I was not just a homeless person looking for a free drink or a rounder out to engage in some kind of nefarious crimes on the property.
But, the asshole - with shit for brains - continued to hover around pillars and hide behind banks of slot machines (under the mistaken impression that I was NOT aware of his presence).
At this juncture, I became so disturbed by his open harassment - and violation of my rights - that I decided to exit the Hotel and return to my Hotel suite to start composing a consumer alert about the security guard - and the fact that he was not only a mentally-ill guard breaking the law - but a menace to the community.
At this point, many thoughts ran through my mind.
Was he sexually aroused by me? Was he getting his jollies trailing me in the casino?
On the other hand, maybe he was just jealous of me; after all, I am well-built and handsome (or so they say) while he was fat, ugly, and possessed all the personality of a worm.
I considered other possibilities, too.
Just maybe, he did know who I was, and was familiar with posts that I published in which I criticized incompetent security guards (who had - not only harassed and exceeded their authority - but violated innocent citizen's rights at whim in the process).
Was he retaliating against me and engaging in "scare tactics" to intimidate me to force me to refrain from reporting on these disturbing incidents in the future?
If so, he may have committed a felony.
I believe that the intimidation of a witness is a Federal Crime which falls under the jurisdiction of the FBI.
Then, it occurred to me that Steve Wynn may be involved in the conspiracy to harass, too.
Just last week I posted a negative report on the Wynn Resorts which may have offended the eccentric multi-millionaire.
Doesn't he have ties or "connections" with the Mirage (and MGM brass?).
For his sake, I hope that is not personally involved because Mr. Wynn may have his hands full with other more pressing financial matters.
My sources say Mr. Wynn may be facing an audit from the IRS, after all.
In a nutshell?
The fact that a guard was standing at the door, and followed me once I was inside, tends to suggest that "someone" was laying-in-wait for me!
Don't 'ya think?
At this point, I was so distressed to be treated in such a disrespectful hateful way, that I got up from my seat and proceeded to cash in my ticket (94 cents total in change!).
The guard (who I later learned was named "Scott") had the audacity to come up behind me, lean on the redemption ticket center kiosk, and bark at me:
"How long have you been trespassing on MGM property?"
Say what?
I immediately responded by noting that I have been patronizing the Mirage (and MGM) for years!
Then, he asked me to produce my Rewards Card, which I did promptly.
At this point, I was keenly aware that over the prior thirty minutes he had broken State & Federal Laws - and violated my rights - in the process.
After all, I studied law (and passed all my course tests with an A).
I collected my cash from the machine and informed him I was leaving the Hotel.
"If you haven't done anything wrong," he retorted, "Why are you leaving?"
I must have been talking to the stupidest person on the face of the earth.
I am not a masochist, I wanted to inform the fool.
Why would I patronize a casino that was treating me like a criminal?
He may have not known his ass from a hole in the ground, but I knew my rights, you betcha!
Then, as I proceeded to the exit, he had the nerve to follow me (as other patrons stared after us in total disbelief).
Outside, in front of dozens of witnesses, he alleged that the personal "Players Card" I was using was not mine (and didn't have my name on its face) which was a ridiculous bold-faced lie.
Also, he threatened to have me arrested for trespassing!
On what grounds, asshole?
When I demanded his name, he refused to provide it.
What was HE hiding?
Why didn't HE want me to know his identity?
Across the street I located a telephone and dialed up the Mirage with the specific aim of lodging a formal complaint against the security guard (and demand that he be fired).
The staff refused to put me through to the executive officers or any senior management personnel.
A staffer advised she would put me through to the head of security, however.
When the woman picked up the cradle of the phone, she listened very intently. But, when I pointed out that the security guard was dressed in a black suit, she informed me that his conduct was not monitored by her office.
"My office handles the complaints for the guards dressed in purple jackets," she noted matter-of-fact.
Now, she asked me to hold, while she put me through to the right department.
Then, guess what happened?
The security guard I had the confrontation with - came on the line - and started to make silly excuses about the way I was treated on the Casino floor.
For starters, he tried to toss the blame on another employee.
"Someone said you were checking credits," he accused.
Frankly, I don't know what checking credits means!
The truth of the matter is that I have poor eyesight without my glasses on.
Usually, it is not until I sit down at a slot machine, that I notice for the first time that I am required to bet up to 50 credits at once to use the machine.
Since I only like to bet one or two lines (I bet for fun and relaxation and not to break the bank) I may have to get up and locate a slot that meets my budget (and gambling criteria).
Ask any slot-machine player.
The machines are set up in sections.
One section may have 25 cent slots, another 50 cent machines, etc.
Patrons may have to stroll through several aisles before locating a one-armed bandit they want to play.
If the Hotel's staff are stupid - and lack the common sense or any logic to figure that out - it's the fault of the management when misunderstandings occur because of their failure to hire professionals with intelligent people skills and surveillance ability.
Notwithstanding, his argument was a total smokescreen and a vicious lie.
The security guard started to follow me BEFORE I even began to enter the slot area, so his excuse was a total fabrication designed to mitigate the Hotel's damages.
"Scott" - who claimed to be a supervisor - also tried to deny that he accused me of using a card which didn't belong to me.
As I pointed out on the phone, I received the card from the Players Club desk about thirty minutes earlier (and the cameras on the casino floor would verify it!).
In fact, at times it appeared that "Scott" was trying to engage me in certain lines of questioning (were his superiors listening in on the conversation without disclosing the information to me?) in order to get me to say something incriminating.
I hadn't done anything wrong, so it would not be possible to achieve that end.
In the event he was taping the conversation, I wonder if he knows that taping a telephone conversation without the individuals knowledge or permission is illegal?
Then, near the end of the argument, Scott asked me where I was at that moment.
What business was it of his?
Was he going to send out goons to beat me up?
If you can believe it, he actually asked me to return to the Hotel at this juncture.
Was he kidding?
Earlier he promised to have me arrested for "trespassing".
Did he think I would honestly return to the hotel in view of those threats?
At this juncture, was he trying to "set me up"?
Needless to say, I informed him that I would be posting this expose to warn tourists and locals alike, about his illegal threatening and harassing conduct which warrants immediate dismissal and an apology from the Hotel.
In the meantime, I am considering filing a lawsuit for damages.
I think it is high time that Vegas Hotels were taught the vital lesson that they cannot continue to hire mentally-ill security guards (with impotency issues?) and put their guests at risk without paying heavily for the compensatory and punitive damages when their sick employees go amok and violate rights of the patrons.
If a high-powered attorney in the Las Vegas area is interested in handling this case, please contact me at your earliest convenience (i.julian@yahoo.com)
Otherwise, I shall turn this litigation over to a lawyer in the Los Angeles area.
Stay posted and avoid the Mirage and MGM properties like the plague!
http://www.thetattler.biz
