LV Sands trial delayed amid settlement talks

LAS VEGAS, Nevada –- The start of a civil trial concerning how Las Vegas Sands Corp. earned a Macau gaming license has been delayed until Thursday amid reports the sides may be in settlement talks.

Three men are suing Las Vegas Sands, saying they helped connect the company with its eventual partner in the 2002 Macau 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 in Clark County District Court and will include testimony from Las Vegas Sands Chairman Sheldon Adelson and former company President Bill Weidner.

Clive Bassett Jones, Dax Turok and Cliff Cheong claim they helped Las Vegas Sands win a shared Macau gaming license when they paired the company with Hong Kong-based Galaxy Entertainment. The move rescued Las Vegas Sands' seemingly failed licensing bid.

This is Las Vegas Sands' second trial in 14 months concerning Macau.

In May 2008, a Clark County 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 to the Nevada Supreme Court.