Famed Vegas Reporter John L. Smith Resigns: Not Allowed to Report on Adelson, Wynn
As predicted by Gambling911.com a few months ago, one of the best reporters covering the Vegas scene has resigned from the Las Vegas Review Journal just months after casino magnate Sheldon Adelson purchased the paper.
Smith claims he was not allowed to report on the Vegas billionaire or Steve Wynn.
Both men have been in the news of late. Wynn is currently embroiled in a dispute with his late wife over control of the company’s share. Adelson is among the biggest GOP donors. He, too, was a key figure in a recent lawsuit involving a former employee of his company.
From the New York Times:
The columnist, John L. Smith, said on Tuesday in a letter, several copies of which were distributed in the newsroom, that “recent events have convinced me that I can no longer remain employed at The Las Vegas Review-Journal.” Mr. Smith has been barred from writing about Mr. Adelson and was recently told that he could not write about Steve Wynn, another prominent casino owner, either.
How he lasted this many months is anybody’s guess as Smith filed for bankruptcy in 2007 while defending himself against a libel lawsuit brought by Mr. Adelson.
When it came to Web searches, Smith’s columns were among the most widely regarded from the LVRJ.
- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com
