Wayne Newton Faces Sexual Harassment Accusations in Court

By Azenith Smith, KVVU Reporter, Courtesy CNN

LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Wayne Newton is used to the Las Vegas spotlight, but it was his wife who took center stage in court. This case is more than just a fight over tenant and landlord. Newton is also being accused of sexual harassment, an allegation that could tarnish his legacy as Mr. Las Vegas.

For the first time, the parents of a former Newton employee sat in the courtroom. They accuse Newton of sexually harassing their daughter. They said she was supposed to take the stand but the day was devoted to Newton’s wife, Kathleen Newton.

Kathleen Newton detailed the plan to turn their 40-acre estate Casa de Shenandoah into a tourist attraction, commemorating her husband’s life. She said they sold their home for $19.5 million to estranged business partner Stephen Kennedy with an agreement he would build a $2 million home for them on the property.

Under the 99-year lease agreement, the Newtons would pay $12 a year. They wouldn’t have to pay for taxes, maintenance and insurance.

Kennedy’s legal team claim the Newtons agreed to the sale because they needed the money and they never wanted a museum. The Newtons said that’s not true. Both parties accuse each other of breach of contract, fraud, animal abuse, mismanagement and sexual harassment.