Westgate ended Elvis’ exhibition
“We remain hopeful that the dispute concerning the sums owed to us can be amicably resolved in the near future without the legacy of Elvis Presley being tarnished.”
US.- Elvis themed exhibition at hotel and casino Westgate in Las Vegas closed its doors after a year of great attraction from the King of Rock and Roll fans. Companies involved suggest that the decision was made due to a leasing dispute. Elvis Presley Enterprises is “deeply concerned with the aggressive actions” by the Westgate’s operators.
The casino owners stated that they will keep Elvis’ treasures and artifacts, and EPE accuses them of wanting to reward the debt that Exhibit A Circle LLC –administrators of the Elvis exhibition– owes to Westgate with Elvis’ 350 artifacts. Mark Waltrip, chief operating officer at Westgate, claims that A Circle hasn’t accomplished the ten-year deal signed with them and the closure of the exhibition has been made as a “protective action”.
“We have no choice but to pursue all legal means necessary to ensure the return of our artifacts immediately,” responded Elvis Presley Enterprises. Meanwhile Westgate alleges that they invested millions of dollars in the decoration of the hotel and if they can’t fulfill the debt, they would go to the court.
“Despite our wishes to retrieve these artifacts and return them to Graceland, the Westgate is currently preventing staff from accessing the exhibition space to pack up and bring home these priceless pieces of history, which are owned by EPE and the Presley family,” explained Westgate in an statement.
