“A year after the Sept. 11 attacks, the Justice Department obtained video surveillance tapes suggesting terrorists were targeting Las Vegas casinos, but authorities never alerted the public as they discussed whether a warning might hurt tourism or increase the casinos’ legal liability, internal memos show. …Another memo states the casinos didn’t want to see the footage for fear it would make them more likely to be held liable in civil court if an attack occurred.” Most local law enforcement authorities also declined an opportunity to view the tape. (John Solomon, “U.S. Didn’t Warn Las Vegas of Threats”, AP/Washington Post, Aug. 9). On the other hand, MGM Mirage spokeswoman Yvette Monet said her company did see the tapes and cooperated with authorities. An anonymous casino executive also tells the Las Vegas paper that the casinos kept their distance from a Detroit terrorism trial in which surveillance tapes were a factor because they feared having to reveal their security plans in sworn testimony, to the advantage of future terrorism attempts. (“Terrorism threats: city accused of inaction”, Las Vegas Review-Journal (with AP coverage), Aug. 10). More: Eugene Volokh comments as does Radley Balko.

Filed under: Detroit