Circa Resort CEO faces allegations over assault on homeless man

Derek Stevens, CEO of Circa Resort & Casino in downtown Las Vegas, faces allegations in a federal lawsuit that he encouraged a security guard to assault a homeless man outside the property in July 2022, according to a complaint filed by Chubb subsidiary ACE American Insurance Co.

Incident details

On July 29, 2022, Lance Koiner and another unhoused person were sitting on the sidewalk outside Circa with their belongings when Stevens ordered them to leave, according to a complaint filed Oct. 20 in U.S. District Court in Nevada by ACE American Insurance Co. The lawsuit alleges Stevens moved the victim’s personal belongings to create space for the assault.

When Koiner refused to leave, Stevens allegedly instructed uniformed Circa security guard Dwan Denton to remove him. Denton then picked up Koiner, repeatedly slammed him into the pavement, and kicked him, according to the complaint, which notes that Circa’s surveillance cameras captured the entire assault.

Koiner was knocked unconscious and rushed to a hospital, allegedly suffering a traumatic brain injury and severe spinal injuries requiring surgery, along with other permanent disabilities.

Legal proceedings

Denton pleaded guilty to felony battery resulting in substantial bodily harm, with a formal judgment of conviction entered on Jan. 5, 2024.

Koiner sued Stevens, Denton, and several Circa-related corporate entities in Clark County District Court in July 2024, seeking more than $1 million in damages. His lawsuit alleges negligence, assault, battery, civil conspiracy, harassment, coercion, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

The allegations against Stevens have not been established by a court judgment. A Circa spokesperson stated that Derek Stevens did not and would not direct or encourage anyone to be harmed.

ACE American Insurance Co. sued Stevens and several Circa entities in U.S. District Court, asking a federal judge to rule that it has no legal obligation to indemnify the defendants or cover potential damages. ACE’s excess umbrella policy provides up to $10 million in coverage per occurrence, but contains an explicit abuse or molestation exclusion that applies to physical abuse.