Mr. Las Vegas is good, but apparently doesn’t have the skill set to be as sly as a fox. On Saturday, Newton, who has avoided several process serving attempts in the past, including a convoy of moving vans showing up at his home to claim property to pay alleged debts {previously reported by Las Vegas Backstage Access}, this time was not lucky.
The legal serving company, reportedly, came up with a novel way to get their foot in the door during Newton’s show at the Tropicana. The process server paid $149.99 for the VIP package to gain entrance to a meet-and-greet session. He just patiently waited in line to schmooze with Newton, finally greeting him with the words, “Mr. Newton, Las Vegas love you.” With 20 or so applauding, the process server said, “You are served!” and handed Newton the legal documents, then raced out of the casino, with security guards in hot purist. They raced through the halls but didn’t catch him.
Today, Newton’s publicist, Trish McCrone – like any good publicist – is disavowing the incident occurred, merely saying Newton never saw the legal writ or has any idea what it is, saying she thought it just something to autograph.
The serving company was carry out the clandestine mission on behalf of O. Burton Smith, whose wide-ranging empire of NASCAR tracks includes the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Smith contends that Newton is delinquent on a $3.35 million loan and, not receiving payment, then filed suit Feb. 9 in Clark County District Court against Newton, his wife, Kathleen McCrone Newton, their company, Desert Eagle LLC and Newton’s Living Trust.
Smith seeks immediate foreclosure on the Newton’s 38-acre Casa de Shenandoah ranch in Las Vegas, which the Newtons had put up as a guarantee, alone with their Fokker F28 MK 1000 private jet.
While unsavory situations on many fronts continue to haunt Newton, he may also soon lose his Las Vegas gig at the Tropicana.
Jack Wishna, who handled the Tropicana contract for Newton, has confirmed the show, “Once Before I Go,” ends April 24, barring any extension by Alex Yemenidjian, chairman of the Tropicana and godfather of Newton’s daughter, Lauren, who turns eight next month.
Yemenidjian has previously announced he has plans for a new Tropicana showroom.
Vegas Backstage Access (VBA) 