Gangster’s daughter sues Las Vegas Mob Experience

Antoinette Giancana McDonnell, daughter of famed gangster Sam Giancana, has sued the Las Vegas Mob Experience, claiming the attraction owes her money.

But, the lawsuit won't delay planned March 1 opening at the Tropicana, a spokesman for the attraction said.

Spence Johnston said McDonnell's consultant contract with the Mob Experience has been canceled because she violated its terms. The spokesman provided documents, including a letter from McDonnell's former lawyer stating that no contract breaches had occurred.

Named in the complaint are Murder Inc. and The Mafia Collection LLC, parent companies of the attraction, and Jay Bloom, managing partner of those companies.

The lawsuit states that in April 2009, McDonnell and Bloom agreed to a $331,538 consultant's contract for her that was to run five years. She also agreed to a $22,300 sale price for some of her father's furniture and possessions.

Those items were never paid for, the lawsuit states, and it was a low amount that was accepted only because McDonnell expected to make additional money from the sale of other memorabilia. She also claims that the monthly payments from the consulting contract stopped three months ago and that her move from Illinois to Las Vegas caused her financial hardship.

McDonnell's lawsuit lists seven claims, including breach of contract, fraud and dealing in bad faith, and asks for at least $70,000 in damages plus attorney's fees and court costs.

Johnston also provided a copy of a Dec. 10, 2009, check for the purchase of Sam Giancana's memorabilia. McDonnell's consulting contract was canceled last week, Johnston said, but he wouldn't comment further, citing pending litigation.

In February, McDonnell's then-attorney, Robert LaBriola, wrote to the Review-Journal after reports of her troubles with the Mob Experience surfaced.

LaBriola said Bloom and the Mob Experience "are not in breach of contract relative to the Giancana artifacts. A minor issue remains to be resolved but does not in any way constitute a breach of contract."

McDonnell hired a new lawyer to file her lawsuit.

The Las Vegas Mob Experience has collected memorabilia from the families of several famous organized crime figures and built a n attraction around them .

Giancana rose to power in the mob in Chicago during the 1940s and '50s. He later became a witness for the FBI, and in 1975 he was assassinated in his home.

Review-Journal writer Antonio Planas contributed to this report. Contact reporter Alan Choate at achoate@reviewjournal.com or 702-229-6435.