Man starts over at Chuck Jones attraction after attempted-embezzlement conviction

Cartoons are giving Neil Cantor a second chance.

Cantor, who was convicted of attempting to embezzle from the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art in 2008, is making a fresh start in life with his new venture: running the Chuck Jones Experience at Circus Circus.

The attraction, which opened Thursday, features interactive displays and artwork of the famed Looney Tunes director and animator. Though three years in the making, Cantor originally had the idea for the venue 20 years ago when he met Jones.

"I thought, 'How cool would it be if there was a place people could go and learn about animation?' " Cantor said.

Cantor, who has worked in the field of licensed merchandise for decades, moved to Las Vegas in 1995 from New York City. He didn't want to comment on his conviction, expressing frustration that his past might overshadow the culmination of years of work.

"The facts are there, and the case speaks for itself. I admit what I did, and I paid my restitution. I've worked so hard for this," he said, gesturing toward the Chuck Jones Experience storefront. Cantor paid $29,000 in restitution while his brother, Brian Cantor, repaid $300,000.

Jones' family hired Neil Cantor to develop the attraction.

"He told us about the situation with the Bellagio early on in our working relationship," Jones' grandson, Craig Kausen, said in a statement. "It was a very complicated legal situation. We reviewed the details of the case carefully and were satisfied that Neil was still a good partner for this endeavor. We believe in his integrity and commitment and are happy to have him involved in this project."

Cantor and his brother both worked for Paper Ball, the company that managed Bellagio's gallery. Neil Cantor was hired to assist in the gallery's business and financial operations while Brian Cantor ran the gallery's retail operation.

The men were accused of using the company's credit card without permission to buy clothing, jewelry and toys, and to finance vacations. Both men pleaded guilty to attempted embezzlement. Former District Court Judge Jackie Glass sentenced them to 12 to 30 months but suspended the sentence on the condition that they make restitution and complete nearly three years of probation.

Glass, who left the bench in 2011 for the courtroom show "Swift Justice," provided an "only-in-Vegas" moment when she attended the attraction's ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday. She said she is a big Bugs Bunny fan.

Before the doors officially opened, Cantor retrieved a bundle of giant, fake dynamite.

"Here at the Chuck Jones Experience, we don't cut ribbons, we blow the joint up," Cantor told the crowd.

He, with Kausen, Circus Circus President Don Thrasher, Glass and a few others, placed their hands on a fake TNT detonator and pushed the plunger. The gates "blew" open, and guests entered the attraction.

Glass didn't remember Cantor had been in her courtroom in 2008 but said it's not uncommon to run into people she has sentenced.

"Good for him," Glass said. "It was great that he was able to make a success of himself. This is a small town. ... I run into people in all walks of life who" have been in her courtroom.

Bellagio and Circus Circus are owned by MGM Resorts International. The company does not play a role in the operation of the Chuck Jones Experience, said Yvette Monet, spokeswoman for the corporation.

"Chuck Jones Experience is a leased outlet, and we're very excited to open this new attraction. Employees who work at the Experience are employees of the lessee and are not employees of MGM Resorts," Monet said.

Contact reporter Sonya Padgett at spadgett@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4564. Follow @StripSonya on Twitter.