Sands trial gets underway, can be viewed online

Jury selection begins today in Clark County District Court as Las Vegas Sands Corp. defends its actions in 2002 that earned the casino operator a Macau gaming license.

Three men are suing Las Vegas Sands, saying they helped connect the company with its eventual partner in the licensing process. An attorney for the three believes the Las Vegas Sands owes his clients at least $500 million.

The trial is expected to last three weeks and will include testimony from Las Vegas Sands Chairman Sheldon Adelson and former company President Bill Weidner.

This is Las Vegas Sands’ second trial in 14 months concerning Macau. In May 2008, a jury awarded a Hong Kong businessman almost $60 million for his help in introducing Las Vegas Sands executives to Chinese government officials. The Sands has appealed the verdict appealed to the Nevada Supreme Court.

For those interested in following the case, but don’t want to travel downtown to the Regional Justice Center, an Internet company will provide gavel-to-gavel coverage of the trial.

Judge Ken Cory approved Courtroom View Network to video webcast the trial, including all witness testimony.

Here’s a link to the coverage.