The Los Angeles Times On The Lawsuit Against Wayne Newton Brought By D.R. Patti & Associates
Recently, Marc C. Naron, Esq., of D.R. Patti & Associates filed suit on behalf of 15-year old Genevieve Urena for personal injuries she sustained when she was bitten by Wayne Newton’s pet monkey named Boo. The bite occurred during a tour of Newton’s former home, Casa De Shanandoah. The Associated Press wrote about the lawsuit, and this story was picked up by The Los Angeles Times, amongst others. The text of the article from USA Today is re-printed below.
Wayne Newton sued over monkey biting girl visiting his home
By Associates Press
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Entertainer Wayne Newton is being sued by a Las Vegas woman who claims the veteran crooner’s pet monkey bit and injured her daughter during an invited visit to Newton’s showpiece mansion nearly two years ago.
Jocelyne Urena seeks at least $15,000 in damages on behalf of her daughter, Genevieve, in a civil negligence complaint filed Wednesday in Nevada state court in Las Vegas.
Genevieve, then 15, received emergency hospital treatment for a bite to her right wrist from a capuchin monkey named Boo, her mother’s attorney, Marc Naron, said Thursday.
The lawsuit alleges the monkey attacked the girl without provocation during a tour of Newton’s gilded former estate, Casa de Shenandoah.
Naron said the animal was not caged or on a leash and was being shown to tour guests.
The attorney said he did not know if members of Newton’s family were present at the time.
He said Genevieve underwent follow-up medical treatment, counseling, and bears a scar from the bite.
Newton’s wife, Kathleen McCrone Newton, said in an email that a family business entity broke ties with Casa de Shenandoah in July 2017, three months before the lawsuit alleges the girl was injured.
“We are not a party and have no idea what happened in October 2017,” she said.
The lavish 40-acre (16.2-hectare) property southeast of the Las Vegas Strip was home to “Mr. Las Vegas” and his family for more than 40 years. The walled compound featured several homes, gardens, pools, stables for Newton’s prized Arabian horses and a menagerie of exotic animals also including flamingos, penguins and even a sloth.
The Newtons sold it in 2010 to investors under the name CSD LLC who opened a tourist attraction and museum. The company also is named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
An attorney for the investors at that time said Thursday he no longer represents them.
Newton and his family moved in 2013 to another home.
Now 77, Newton has performed for 60 years. His best-known songs include his signature “Danke Schoen,” his 1965 version of “Red Roses for a Blue Lady,” and “Daddy Don’t You Walk So Fast” in 1972.
Pets and other animals can be so cute; but they can also be dangerous, if not outright deadly. If you or a loved one have been injured by a pet or other animal, you may have a personal injury claim. Call and speak to a Las Vegas personal injury attorney at D.R. Patti & Associates to find out what your rights are.