Sandi Murphy Renews bid for Binion Estate, Gets Beat Up

Jul. 11, 2007
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Legal try for funds restarts

Sandy Murphy back in court in effort
to get part of Binion estate

By K.C. HOWARD
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Sandy Murphy, the woman once accused of killing gaming executive Ted Binion, was back in a Las Vegas courtroom Tuesday, seeking to keep alive her attempt to gain possession of a portion of Binion's estate.

"She's got to support herself," Murphy's attorney, Herb Sachs, said outside District Judge Elizabeth Halverson's courtroom.

Murphy and her one-time lover, Rick Tabish, were charged in 1999 with drugging and killing Binion in what authorities said was a plot to steal his $7 million silver stash and prevent him from cutting Murphy out of his will.

The two were convicted of murder and other charges in 2000 and sentenced to life in prison. But the convictions were overturned by the state Supreme Court and the two were acquitted by a second jury in 2004 of the murder charge. They were found guilty of grand larceny, conspiracy and burglary charges in the theft of Binion's silver.

Sachs said an appeal is before the state high court on those charges. He said he has plans to file a motion this month asking for a new trial on the theft charges based on newly discovered evidence, which he said he will detail in the motion.

Murphy does not face any additional time in prison because of the 4 1/2 years she has already spent incarcerated.

...more - http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/legal-try-funds-restarts

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George Knapp, Chief Investigative Reporter

I-Team Exclusive:
Sandy Murphy's Run In With Binion Family Member

July 10, 2007 08:03 PM

The animosity between Sandy Murphy and the Binion family hasn't subsided after all these years. Monday night, things got ugly at a Las Vegas restaurant. Eyewitnesses say Murphy was attacked by a member of the Binion family.

The Eyewitness News has been in phone contact with Sandy Murphy over the past few weeks and she told the I-Team she looked forward to getting all of the various legal wrangling behind her.

She called the I-Team on Monday from California to say she'd just learned the wrongful death suit filed against her by the Binion family was almost certain to be dismissed Tuesday. She didn't think she would have to appear, but she flew to Las Vegas anyway and was in court for the dismissal.

What was not obvious to onlookers is that Murphy was a bit banged up Tuesday morning after an altercation Monday night at one of Las Vegas' most popular gourmet restaurants, Piero's, on Convention Center Drive. Murphy and her lawyer declined all comment about the incident.

However, eyewitnesses say Murphy was assaulted by Benny Behnen, the grandson of Binion family patriarch Benny Binion. Sources say Behnen and his group were involved in some sort of argument with another group when he spotted Murphy across the restaurant and came over to her, smashed her head on a table and gave her a shot to the jaw. Metro police were called to the scene.

...more - http://www.klas-tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6771447

Dominic is the brother of mob-affiliate Rick Rizzolo who is losing the Crazy Horse while he sits in federal detention. zg

Oops, its Rizzolo's son. zg

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From: [email protected]
Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2007 17:05:05 EDT
Subject: A reason for Dominic Rizzolo''s threat
To: [email protected]

A reason for Dominic Rizzolo's threat

A check of the Clark County Recorder's records indicate the recent formation of THE LISA M RIZZOLO SEPARATE PROPERTY TRUST by the prestigious law firm of LIONEL SAWYER.

These records do not reflect the Rizzolo's out of state properties including a beach house in Newport Beach, Calif, a lake front condo in Chicago, two Land Rovers, a 2005 Mercedes, a 1958 Corvette, the Crazy Horse Too property in Philadelphia, and ownership of the Crazy Horse Too converted warehouse in Las Vegas.

This is the TRUST set up to protect the Rizzolo's joint assets that were accumulated during their 25 year marriage that ended in a bogus divorce days before Rick Rizzolo was indicted -- assets that are community property accumulated during the time crimes occurred at the Crazy Horse Too.

This TRUST was also set up to pay for the life-long sustenance of Rick Rizzolo's two adult children Dominic and Monica, sister Annette, brother Ralph, and father Bartholomew.

I am the only journalist so far to advocate the reversal of the bogus transfer of the millions of dollars worth of assets (listed below) that should have -- by now -- been liquidated to pay the Rizzolo's $17 million dollars in court ordered debts to the IRS, Kirk and Amy Henry, City of Las Vegas, and Buffalo Jim Barrier.

My prodding on this subject obviously hit a nerve with the Rizzolos. This inspired Dominic Rizzolo, the 21 year old child of Rick and Lisa, to threaten my safety in an email sent yesterday that's now in the hands of the FBI, Sheriff, and U.S. Prosecutors.

If my suggestion is followed, the more-than-ample LISA M RIZZOLO SEPARATE PROPERTY TRUST should immediately be pierced to pay the Rizzolo's joint legal obligations -- obligations that are now PAST DUE and are not required to be paid through the sale of the Crazy Horse Too according to the Judgement and Plea Agreement.

If this occurs, Dominic Rizzolo may be forced to seek meaningful employment to maintain the lavish life style to which he has become accustomed. Hence his threat. - SM

hmmm interesting

Try to get money out of the estate is a good case . Friends in the vegas area say she has little if any chance of receiving anything in reality .