In a new lawsuit, a 2022 guest at the Venetian in Las Vegas claims he was pushed to the ground by the casino resort’s security officers, resulting in a two-day coma and enduring physical and mental trauma. The civil suit, filed this week, seeks unspecified damages from the Venetian, accusing its security team of employing “excessive force” during the November 2022 incident.
The lawsuit, lodged by Los Angeles resident Javier Marquez and initially reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, states that two Venetian security officers confronted Marquez due to his low-slung pants, which they deemed consistent with current fashion trends. The officers said they were acting on reports of a man “exposing himself” and believed Marquez matched the description. At the time, Marquez was in Las Vegas celebrating his birthday with his wife.
Identified in the complaint as William Silvey and Michael Palmer, the officers offered to escort Marquez back to his hotel room to change, an offer he refused. According to the complaint, they then forced Marquez into mechanical restraints and a wheelchair.
The lawsuit further alleges that a third officer subsequently pushed Marquez onto the pavement using what it describes as “excessive force.” This forceful action caused Marquez to black out from a head injury, leading to his hospitalization, where he awoke two days later with injuries to his right eye, face, jaw, and several broken or lost teeth.
Marquez’s lawsuit claims he “continues to suffer mentally and emotionally,” experiencing severe pain, cognitive decline, and difficulties with daily tasks, including managing his business, resulting in financial hardship. His wife, Nancy Marquez, is also a plaintiff, citing the emotional distress of witnessing her husband’s transformation due to the traumatic event and the loss of “companionship, comfort, and partnership” that the incident has allegedly caused.
The complaint asserts that the couple’s marriage has been “deeply strained by the lasting impact” of Marquez’s injuries, both physical and mental. Additionally, the suit names Alexis Padilla, the manager on duty at the Venetian, as a defendant for supposedly failing to ensure that an incident report was filed.
