Sign of the times? These days much interesting Vegas news comes not from press releases but from  legal settlements.

Despite serious money problems, The Hard Rock has agreed to pay $650,000 to settle allegations security guards and casino hosts were involved in selling drugs.  The casino has apparently also brought in Angel Management Group to run its nightlife operations. AMG is the company that also recently acquired Pure Management Group. AMG principal Neil Moffitt was part of “The Club” reality show made at ICE in 2004.

Meanwhile, one of the most successful and longstanding partnerships in Vegas entertainment over at the Palms has come to an end via an out of court settlement between resort owner George Maloof and nightlife operator Michael Morton. The lawsuits involved  here were business disagreements with words like fraud and tax cheat being bandied. Now, Maloof and Morton have released a statement about their amicable parting filled with well wishes for each other. The key to the settlement is that Morton is out and the Palms will now own its own nightlife operations while being able to maintain the names of such successful operations as N9NE Steakhouse and the Playboy Club.

(Photo: Lanie Crossman)