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U.S. NEWSFriday 16 October 2015
Authorities retrace Lamar Odom’s visit to Nevada brothel
Richard Hunter, media director for Dennis Hof, who owns the Love Ranch, talks in Crystal, Nev., a rarity for the Love Ranch, blood sample to find out if
about how he found former NBA basketball player Lamar Odom unconscious. Odom was found in the rural community of Odom overdosed on drugs
unresponsive after four days at the brothel. Crystal, and have summed or alcohol, but the results
it up as a possible drug-re- could take several weeks.
(AP Photo/Chris Carlson) lated medical episode. The Kardashian team and
“We’re going to be look- Love Ranch owner Den-
SALLY HO owner over media atten- becoming distressed at ing at the entire situation, nis Hof also locked horns
Associated Press unfounded speculation how he actually came to over media attention while
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Authori- tion surrounding the ordeal. that her grandson would be where he is now,” Nye about a dozen reporters
ties are retracing Lamar be taken off life support. County Sheriff Sharon Weh- and camera crews staked
Odom’s $75,000 visit to There’s been no official His father, Joe Odom, also rly said at a Wednesday out the hospital.
the brothel where he was declined to discuss his con- news conference. Khloe Kardashian’s rep-
found unconscious as the word on Odom’s condition, dition, saying that informa- Odom was found uncon- resentatives reached out
former NBA and reality TV tion was confidential. scious at the brothel Tues- Wednesday to Hof and
star remains hospitalized but the Rev. Jesse Jackson Nye County law enforce- day with white and reddish asked him not to speak
and the Kardashian team ment and brothel officials substances coming from to the press. But Hof said
spars with the brothel’s visited him Wednesday and said Odom’s incident was his nose and mouth. His he’s troubled by the lack
breathing was consistent, of communication from
said he’s on life support. but he seemed to be in a the reality TV star, and he
deep sleep-like state, said dismissed her rep’s request
Odom’s grandmother, Richard Hunter, a Love that Khloe Kardashian do
Ranch spokesman and interviews instead of him.
Florence Odom, declined one of the people who She has so far issued no
called 911. He was to be public statements.
to comment on his status flown by helicopter about “I know what happened,”
80 miles to Las Vegas, but Hof said. “I’m the one pro-
Thursday, saying she was he had to be taken by tecting my business and
ambulance because he telling the truth about it.”
couldn’t fit in the aircraft. Kardashian’s rep said they
Odom’s estranged wife, politely asked Hoff to re-
Khloe Kardashian, rushed spect their privacy.
to his side at Sunrise Hos- Hunter said Odom sched-
pital and Medical Center. uled his brothel visit a week
Since then, friends, team- in advance and asked for
mates and loved ones a ride to the business Sat-
have visited and posted urday, arriving at 4:30 p.m.
requests for prayers on so- He paid by credit card
cial media. after putting down an ini-
Authorities have taken a tial 10 percent deposit for
the reservation, Odom’s
Fantasy sports sites ordered to shut down in Nevada first-ever visit to the Love
Ranch. He stayed in the
KIMBERLY PIERCEALL past year. more than $5,000. Some ing the sites must stop of- “best VIP suite” and chose
Associated Press Participants on the sites prizes top $1 million. fering their contests to resi- two women to accompa-
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Ne- can compete in games DraftKings and FanDuel say dents in the state effective ny him. Per Nevada law,
vada regulators ordered involving NFL or college the sites provide games of immediately. Operators prostitutes negotiate ser-
daily fantasy sports sites like players, paying an entry skill and not of chance and face felony fines and 10 vices and prices privately
DraftKings and FanDuel to fee that goes into a larger are therefore protected by years in prison. Regulators with customers as inde-
shut down Thursday, saying pool. Then they try to as- the Unlawful Internet Gam- said the sites can apply pendent contractors. Hof
they can’t operate in the semble teams that earn bling Enforcement Act es- for licenses. “Since offer- gets 50 percent.
state without a gambling the most points based on tablished in 2006, which ing (daily fantasy sports) in Odom spent about $75,000
license. real-life stats in a given pe- has language protecting Nevada is illegal without for a minimum four-day
The decision comes amid riod of time with a certain fantasy sports. the appropriate license, all stay, Hof said. The site has a
growing backlash by in- percentage of top finishers The games are legal in 45 unlicensed activities must five-day maximum policy,
vestigators and regulators earning a payout. states. On Thursday, Ne- cease and desist from the but the owner said Odom
over the sites, which have Entry fees on DraftKings vada’s Gaming Control date of this notice,” their talked about staying the
grown in popularity in the range from 25 cents to Board issued a notice say- decision said.q entire week to celebrate
Hof’s recent birthday.q
