Former NBA star and current Charlotte Bobcats Assistant Coach Charles Oakley is suing the Aria Hotel casino for a May 2010 "gang-style beat-down" by security guards who injured him.
Oakley filed the lawsuit Thursday in Clark County District Court against the Aria hotel-casino at MGM Resorts International's CityCenter complex, the Las Vegas Sun reported. Five security officers were also named in the lawsuit.
Oakley was attending Michael Jordan's Celebrity Invitational golf fundraiser, presented by Aria. He was an invited guest at Aria's VIP pool area May 28 when he left the area, the complaint says, but security officers and staff prevented him from re-entering. After a ''verbal altercation'' with officers, Oakley attempted to return to his room, when he was ''assaulted'' by them in a secluded area of the resort, the lawsuit alleges.
The complaint contends that the officers wrestled Oakley to the ground and punched and handcuffed him, and that he was taken to the hospital with injuries to his neck, back, head and wrist, ''all or some of which may be permanent and disabling.''
The complaint alleges negligence, assault, assault with excessive force, battery, false imprisonment and defamation. It seeks unspecified general, special and punitive damages. An MGM Resorts International spokeswoman said the company doesn't comment on pending litigation.
If it is true that the Aria Hotel security staff beat down Charles Oakley, who is a pretty big dude, not to mention tough, then they should pay up. You don't get to beat up a guest trying to return to his room just because he disagrees with you. Five guys jumping one guy — even if it is Oakley, who stands 6 foot 9 and weighs 245 pounds — is outrageous.
How smart is security? Anyone who knows anything about Michael Jordan knows that he and Oakley are the male equivalent of BFFs, so beating down his close friend at his tournament is not a good look. Sheer and utter foolishness.
Read more at Fox Sports.
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