Casino Security Under Fire: Harrah’s Sued Following Brutal Hotel Room Attack

• Banned criminal entered Harrah’s despite prior exclusion orders
• Victim claims hotel ignored basic guest safety protocols

A Joliet woman is launching legal action against Harrah’s Casino and Hotel following an assault and robbery incident in February 2024. Because the attacker had a history of bans from the establishment, the incident immediately raised serious questions about the property’s overall Casino security and safety protocols.

Dana Bass, 46, asserts that Caesars Entertainment, the parent company of Harrah’s, failed to uphold security measures that would prevent known dangerous individuals from accessing the hotel.

Incident Details

As per court documents and testimonies from a criminal trial, Bass was attacked in her hotel room by Marquel Jimerson, a 30-year-old Joliet resident with a documented criminal history.

Jimerson forcefully entered Bass’s room, assaulted her, demanded money, and made off with personal belongings. A witness to the crime has recounted how Jimerson threatened Bass with death if she alerted the police, but thankfully managed to escape and notify hotel security, who later apprehended him.

The lawsuit claims that despite being on Harrah’s exclusion list, Jimerson was permitted entry after showing his ID at the front desk. Hotel staff did not intervene, allowing him unrestricted access to the premises.

“Harrah’s personnel failed to prevent Mr. Jimerson from entering, allowing him to roam the hotel without supervision or security,” reads the lawsuit. “Harrah’s took no actual steps to prevent his access.”

Court Proceedings Against Jimerson

In August 2024, Jimerson was found guilty on multiple charges, including robbery and intimidation, while being acquitted of only one of the six charges. He is scheduled for sentencing soon.

Bass’s legal argument extends to asserting that Harrah’s failed to provide a secure environment for all its guests, including herself. The lawsuit states: “Harrah’s had the responsibility to employ competent security personnel to ensure protection for all patrons.”

Past Incidents and Concerns

This isn’t the first instance of negligence aimed at Harrah’s Joliet. In a shocking incident in March 2019, a transient named Robert Watson stabbed 76-year-old Emanuel “Sam” Burgarino multiple times in a hotel attack, after previously being reported on security footage loitering around the casino.

Burgarino’s fiancée subsequently sued the casino, alleging that the hotel did not exercise adequate caution to protect its guests. Following a lengthy trial, Watson received a 100-year prison sentence, while Caesars Entertainment settled with Burgarino’s fiancée out of court for an undisclosed amount.

Conclusions

The lawsuit against Harrah’s Joliet highlights ongoing concerns surrounding safety protocols and guest protection in casinos. With previous incidents raising red flags, patrons may question the effectiveness of security measures in place at the establishment.