Ex-Crown Resorts security guard claims James Packer evaded fees in personal injury case
Former Crown Resorts tycoon James Packer has been sued again by a security guard who claimed he was assaulted by the billionaire in 2016.
PhD. Iskandar Chaban claims Packer and Crown Resorts failed to pay legal fees stemming from a "settlement agreement" reached the day before last year's personal injury trial.
Iskandar Chaban filed the lawsuit in 2020, claiming Packer insulted him, pushed him in the chest and threatened to fire him. The incident occurred after security failed to recognize Parker and mistook him for a drunk customer.
Packer and Crown agreed to settle, without admission, for $100,000 and Chaban's legal fees. Chaban claims he paid $185,000 in attorney fees and $77,000 in additional costs during the course of the lawsuit, which have yet to be paid.
Big Event
Parker sold his majority stake in Crown Resorts to Blackstone for $3.3 billion in 2022 and has not held an executive role at the company since 2018. But when he met Chaban at the entrance to Melbourne's Crown Hotel on New Year's Day 2016, he was the big enchilada.
So important, in fact, that he was with Mariah Carey, who performed live at Melbourne's Crown Hotel the night before as part of New Year's celebrations.
Chaban prevented Parker from entering the premises because he was "obviously drunk." That angered Parker, according to the original lawsuit. The 6-foot-3, overweight casino tycoon allegedly became abusive, lunging at the older man and pushing him in the chest. Parker was 48 at the time and Chaban was 60.
Another executive then threatened the plaintiff, saying, "I'm going to lose your job," the lawsuit says.
PTSD
Chaban was then taken to a back office where he was allegedly "abused, humiliated, intimidated and bullied" by four casino managers. They asked him to put on his uniform and then accompanied him from the casino to the nearest train station.
Chaban then became ill and was taken to the hospital with neck and back injuries. He was later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, the lawsuit states.
The Supreme Court of Victoria has ordered both parties to attend mediation next month. In a statement to Melbourne's Herald Sun, Crown Resorts denied breaching the terms of the settlement.
"The matter was settled on a confidential basis without confirmation of liability terms, including a costs component which will now be determined by the court. There has been no breach of the terms and conditions set out in the settlement agreement."
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Source: www.casino.org
