The document dump on CityCenter’s construction billing dispute I linked to yesterday between MGM Mirage and Perini is a fascinating though very partial glimpse of the acrimonious rift between the two giants that is now on the way to court.

Perini’s release hints at events from over a year ago when CityCenter almost fell into bankruptcy, suggests MGM Mirage got rid of many of their key employees who understood the billing history, and imply the gaming giant offered the lame excuse that they were too busy opening CityCenter to pay for building the place.

I am not ready to say much about any of this until I have had a chance to study these documents in more detail as well as contact MGM Mirage for a response. But this is obviously a partial release in a very focused sense. The letters mention tens of thousands of other documents that were not released here. This is a mere snapshot that I assume is designed to favor Perini who selected these specific papers and no others.

Yet, while I get that this is a biased  PR stunt set up by Perini’s Facebook group, the Vegas voyeur in me is still fascinated.

There is also a humorous element. Among the documents released by Perini are a series of letters by their executives and attorneys sent  to MGM Mirage/CityCenter’s Robert Baldwin. Baldwin is among the best known executives in Las Vegas in part because he was also a successful poker player.

I dub these the “Dear Bobby” break-up letters. Beginning on March 10 the hurt feelings and sense of rejection felt by Perini were expressed in these heart-on-sleeve letters that are oh so moving, written in anguish and with such deep expression as in any love that ever left a room on little cat’s feet.

Do businesses use relationship counselors?

Here are some of the open wounds and heartbreak and threat expressed by Perini’s crew, all from the various “Dear Bobby” letters:

“Extremely concerned”

“Traumatic”

“we will have no alternative to proceed with the unthinkable”

“Thanking you for hopefully your consideration”

“To say that we are taken aback by your position, absolutely none of which is founded in truth or fact, would be to put it mildly.”

“continued bad faith actions”

“Unfortunately…we still must communicate…”

“not based in reality”

“It is now so obvious…that tactic all along was to lead to believe that was willing to resolve… issues..in an amicable matter, and thereafter to fabricate excuses…”

“I cannot more strongly disagree”

“We are reaching the end of the myriad of excuses”

“To continue on your tack of refusing to communicate….is just incomprehensible to me.”

“..promise after promise….to react so dramatically under our demands…is just hard to fathom.”

“No matter how angry you may be….we still have issues….”

“I await your response and remain Very truly yours.”

On April 13 the “Dear Bobby” letters end, and Perini’s communications start being addressed to “Mr. Baldwin.” (Photo: Lanie Crossman)