O.C. Woman Sues After Attack at Vegas Resort

A La Habra woman has filed a lawsuit against the Excalibur and a former hotel security officer, seeking unspecified damages two years after being attacked at the resort by the security officer.

Hazel Sheldon filed the complaint Wednesday in District Court against the medieval-style resort and Francis Price, 44.

“The defendant took plaintiff Hazel Sheldon to the roof under false pretenses and gained access to the roof by virtue of his employment by Excalibur,” according to the lawsuit filed. “On the roof of the Excalibur Hotel and Casino is where the defendant Price assaulted and attempted to rape Hazel Sheldon.”

Prosecutors charged Price in 1993 with battery with intent to commit sexual assault, a felony. He later pleaded guilty to one felony count of coercion.

District Judge Stephen Huffaker sentenced Price on Oct. 20 to probation for up to four years. Huffaker also ordered the defendant to complete impulse control counseling and to stay away from the victim.

Sheldon contends Price beat her head against a hard surface. The attack caused Sheldon to suffer “physical and mental injury, shock and trauma,” according to the complaint.

The lawsuit accused both defendants of negligence.

“We regret the incident happened, but it wouldn’t be anything we would consider ourselves responsible for,” an Excalibur spokesman in the hotel’s legal department said. Price was fired following the report of the attack.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified general, specific and punitive damages.