A federal judge in the US has ordered Rod Stewart to pay a Las Vegas casino more than $3 million following the cancellation of a concert due to take place at the end of December 2000.
The $3 million is made up of a $2 million advance paid to the singer for the show that never happened, plus an additional $1 million in interest, penalties and legal fees. Stewart also faces a bill for an additional $153,483 over accusations that he and his lawyers were in contempt of court for failing to hand over key documents to the representatives of the casino prior to the original trial last September. And the casino may yet petition the courts to award them further compensation from the singer to cover other legal fees.
The ruling relates to a concert Stewart was due to perform at the Rio Hotel back in December 2000. The singer was forced to pull out because he was recovering from a throat operation. He subsequently offered to play at the hotel on alternative dates, an offer the hotel turned down. Stewart claimed that by offering to play additional dates he had fulfilled his side of the contract and could therefore keep his $2 million advance. The hotel argued that their contract did not accommodate any dates other than those originally agreed, and that when he could not perform on those dates the contract became void and the singer was therefore obliged to return the money.
A court sided with the hotel last September, and Stewart was told he would have to return the advance plus additional interest and legal fees. Yesterday's ruling confirmed the exact sum Stewart would have to pay the hotel. The singer's people made no comment yesterday, but it is known Stewart intends to appeal the original ruling against him.
Meanwhile a lawyer representing the company who own the hotel yesterday said that the various court rulings on this matter were "the right result" and "a long time coming".