Tailhook Plaintiff’s Lawsuit Goes to Trial : Harassment: Former Navy lieutenant who blew the whistle in the 1991 Las Vegas convention sex scandal fails to reach a settlement with the hotel where military aviators partied.

The whistle-blower in the Tailhook scandal is taking her lawsuit to trial today after failing to reach a settlement with the hotel where the 1991 convention was held.

Former Navy Lt. Paula Coughlin alleged that the Tailhook organization of Navy and Marine aviators and the Las Vegas Hilton were negligent in allowing her to be groped during the boisterous parties at the convention. She is seeking unspecified damages.

Tailhook and Coughlin agreed to a settlement Thursday but disclosed no details. Lawyers for Coughlin and the Hilton met briefly Friday but were unable to reach a settlement.

Faced with a 500-person witness list and motions that were measured “by the pound,” U.S. District Judge Philip Pro had encouraged both sides to look for a possible settlement.

Coughlin, 32, was an admiral’s aide when she complained she was sexually assaulted at the convention. More than 80 women later alleged that they, too, were fondled as they were forced down a gantlet of drunken revelers.

The Navy and Marine Corps pursued 140 harassment cases, but none led to a court-martial. Coughlin resigned from the Navy in February, saying “covert attacks” and the strain from the case made it impossible for her to serve.

Pro ruled last week that a Pentagon report on the convention cannot be used as evidence. The report is a summary of events, and Pro ruled that many of the conclusions were based on hearsay testimony of people not subject to cross-examination.

A dozen other women have sued Tailhook and the hotel. Some contended that they were assaulted at the 1990 convention, and again in 1991. Those cases are pending.

Defense attorneys have said many incidents that took place the night of Sept. 7, 1991, were consensual.

Hilton attorney Eugene Wait filed court documents last month contending that Coughlin had her legs shaved at a Tailhook party, then returned later wearing a miniskirt and tank top. Coughlin has denied attending that party.