Sands Seeks Retrial – Again

It could be the third dip at the well for Sands if the judge grants a second retrial in the case, which dates back to 2004. And the tab gets higher every time the company loses in court. Suen, who says he was hired by Sands to curry favor with the Chinese government for what’s become a game-changing gambling license in Macau, won a settlement of $58.6 million in 2008.

Sands appealed and won a retrial by claiming the jury was allowed to consider inadmissable hearsay evidence. But Sands lost that case, too. And since Sands’ fortunes have dramatically increased since opening four resorts in Macau, Suen was entitled to ask for more money – $5 million plus 2 percent of net casino profits.

Instead of the original $58 million awarded before Sands appealed in 2008, Suen was awarded $70 million by the jury in June. Sands immediately filed another appeal.

Among other arguments, Sands’ attorneys hold that the jury was again allowed to consider hearsay evidence, including testimony from billionaire owner Sheldon Adelson’s brother Lenny, and that Suen failed to demonstrate that he helped Las Vegas Sands.

Suen vows to stick out his battle with Sands a third time if necessary.

“I believe that justice will be served eventually,” Suen said in June. “I’ve always kept my faith with the Las Vegas community, and I’ve been proven right. Twice.”