Pacman Being Sued for Strip Club Fight
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Nurse Shot in Head Sues 'Pacman' Jones
By RYAN NAKASHIMA 08.22.07, 11:03 AM ET
LAS VEGAS - A New York nurse who was shot in the head after a scuffle at a Las Vegas strip club involving Adam "Pacman" Jones has sued the suspended Tennessee Titans' cornerback and the company she says hired him to throw thousands of dollars at strippers.
Natalie Jones claimed in her suit, filed last week in Clark County District Court, that "Jones and his entourage" were responsible for firing a semiautomatic weapon after a fight inside the Minxx strip club spilled outside. The gunshots struck her and two of the club's security guards, one of whom was paralyzed.
She claims she required three weeks in intensive care to recover from her injuries and lost wages as a result of missing work as a registered nurse. She said she was in Las Vegas for the NBA All-Star weekend, visiting friends.
Adam Jones, suspended for the 2007 season by the NFL, has said he was an innocent bystander in the shooting. He has said he does not know the person suspected of firing the gun.
Jones' lawyer, Manny Arora of Atlanta, Ga., said he was "skeptical" of the claim, especially since police have said Natalie Jones was treated and released from hospital within a day.
"It sort of demeans the whole process when you start making fantastical claims you can't prove," Arora said.
Las Vegas police, however, have identified Adam Jones as the "inciter" of the fight around 5 a.m. on Feb. 19 at the club, and he faces two felony counts of coercion stemming from allegations he threatened to kill club employees and that he bit a bouncer in the melee.
Natalie Jones claims in her suit, filed Aug. 14, that the football player had "entered into a contract" with the Harlem Knights exotic dancer group, based in Houston, to throw thousands of $1 bills on stage for about 40 dancers. Las Vegas police said Tuesday they have not found evidence of such a contract.
When the dancers began scooping up the bills, "Pacman" allegedly began a fight with them over the money, the suit says. The shooting occurred after he and his group were forcibly escorted out of the club by guards.
Natalie Jones sued the player for assault and battery and blames him, the strip club and the Harlem Knights group for negligence for failing to maintain safety during the money-throwing stunt known as "making it rain." She demanded unspecified damages.
The former West Virginia standout was suspended for the season in April for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. He cannot have his case reviewed until after the Titans' 10th game, Nov. 19.
Natalie Jones' lawyer, Donald Campbell, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
AP
