A jury in Nevada state court in Las Vegas has awarded Richard Suen, a former consultant for Las Vegas Sands, US$70 million for his role in helping the casino giant secure its lucrative Macau license.
The District Court panel delivered the verdict on Tuesday after less than two hours of deliberation, dealing LVS and its combative chairman, billionaire Sheldon Adelson, their second defeat in the case, which Mr Suen launched eight years ago to enforce an agreement he says he had guaranteeing him $5 million plus 2% of the company’s eventual profits in Macau in exchange for his influence and contacts with high-level Chinese officials.
LVS doesn’t dispute the agreement but contends Mr Suen did nothing and that the company secured the license on the strength of its merits as a resort developer in Las Vegas.
Suen won his original suit in 2008, but the Nevada Supreme Court overturned the $58.6 million jury award on appeal, saying the district judge shouldn’t have allowed hearsay statements during the trial.
In the retrial Suen was seeking $328 million based on LVS’ subsequent profits in Macau, which generate 60% of the company’s net income.
Mr Adelson, 79, took the witness stand for two days last month and was in the courtroom for closing arguments last week. He did not attend yesterday’s proceedings.
As he walked out of the courtroom on Tuesday, the 60-year-old Suen said he would be “eternally grateful” to Las Vegas. “I believe that justice will be served eventually,” he told The Associated Press. “I’ve always kept my faith with the Las Vegas community, and I’ve been proven right. Twice.”
LVS says it will again appeal.
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