Las Vegas Court Advances Dwight Manley Case Against MGM Resorts to Trial

A federal judge has ruled that a case involving Dwight Manley, the former agent of NBA star Dennis Rodman, will proceed to trial. Manley claims he was drugged with ketamine during a visit to the MGM Grand in December 2021. Judge Miranda Du denied MGM Resorts' motion for summary judgment. She asserted that evidence suggests Manley was incapacitated after allegedly consuming a tainted drink.

Las Vegas Judge Allows Dwight Manley Lawsuit Against MGM to Proceed

Manley, a seasoned property investor and sports agent, alleges that his drink was spiked while gambling at the MGM Grand Mansion, a luxurious enclave for VIP guests. According to the lawsuit, after ordering an Old Fashioned that he described as "bitter," Manley became disoriented. He claims that despite his erratic behavior, MGM staff raised his credit limit from $1 million to $3.5 million. As a result, he was able to gamble away $2 million in markers.

Witnesses report that Manley suffered a hand injury after breaking an ashtray. Staff provided minimal assistance, offering only Band-Aids. The incident escalated when friends took him back to his villa, where he passed out.

A subsequent medical evaluation concluded that Manley had likely been poisoned with ketamine. This powerful anesthetic is known for its sedative effects. Manley has launched a billboard campaign in Las Vegas, offering a $1 million reward for information about the incident. His attorney, Paul Hejmanowski, revealed that multiple individuals have come forward with similar claims of being drugged at MGM.

MGM and Police Response Face Growing Scrutiny

MGM Resorts has firmly denied any wrongdoing, arguing that there is no evidence to support Manley's claims. The casino's legal team has characterized the lawsuit as an attempt to evade gambling debts. In a recent court session, Federal Magistrate Elayna J. Youchah allowed Manley to question five MGM employees. This decision came despite the expiration of the deposition period.

Manley's attorney emphasized that the casino's credit extension practices are typically conservative. The sudden increase in his limit is highly unusual. Legal experts note that allowing visibly impaired individuals to gamble contradicts Nevada gaming regulations.

Investigation Handling of Drugging Claims Raises Questions

The investigation into Manley's allegations has come under scrutiny, particularly regarding law enforcement's actions and MGM's internal protocols. Manley has expressed frustration over the lack of thoroughness in the investigations. He claims that Metro Police closed their inquiry without interviewing key witnesses, including the bartender who served him.

Despite submitting a police report and a drug test confirming the presence of ketamine, Manley feels that both MGM and law enforcement failed to take his allegations seriously.