- A security guard was allegedly pushed and verbally abused
- Security guard Dr Iskandar Chaban, 60, failed to recognise billionaire
- He tried to block him as he walked towards his own casino in Melbourne
- Crown Melbourne confirmed a ‘minor incident’ had taken place
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Billionaire businessman James Packer and senior Crown Casino executive Ishan Ratnam allegedly screamed abuse at a security guard and pushed him out of the way after the man tried to stop them entering the casino on New Year’s Day.
Security guard Dr Iskandar Chaban, 60, failed to recognise Mr Packer and Mr Ratnam and attempted to block them as he walked towards Melbourne’s Crown casino – hours after Mr Packer’s girlfriend Mariah Carey performed.
He claimed he collapsed and was taken by ambulance to hospital in ‘pain and distress’ after the altercation with Mr Packer and Mr Ratnam.
The guard said he felt he was treated ‘like a criminal’ when the pair allegedly pushed him aside at the bridge entry to the main gaming floor, before demanding that he be sacked on the spot.
Billionaire businessman James Packer allegedly screamed abuse at a security guard, pictured is Mr Packer with his girlfriend Mariah Carey
‘I stopped their path just to have a word with them,’ he told the Sunday Herald Sun1.
‘Before I could even say a single word, they both started screaming at me using the most terrible language . They then both pushed me out of the way.’
‘I pressed my alarm as I didn’t know who these crazy men were, it was terrifying.’
Crown Melbourne confirmed a ‘minor incident’ had taken place involving Mr Packer and Mr Ratnam following a misunderstanding by a security officer.
The security officer, who has worked at the casino for three years for MSS Security, was escorted from the premises and suspended, but Crown claimed he has now been reinstated.
Mr Chaban had allegedly been warned by radio that a VIP was approaching, but he claimed he had ‘no idea’ who the men were at first.
Security guard Dr Iskandar Chaban, 60, failed to recognise Mr Packer (pictured) and attempted to block him as he walked towards Melbourne’s Crown casino
The couple spent Christmas in the upmarket ski resort of Aspen before ringing in the new year at his Crown casino in Melbourne where Mariah performed for revellers
‘How they treated me was inhuman . James Packer treated me as if I was nothing,’ he said.
The father-of-three, 60, who was treated in hospital for back pain and shock for around seven hours, has enlisted the help of a Melbourne law firm.
The alleged verbal and physical confrontation took place at around lunchtime on New Year’s Day.
Mr Chaban, who moved to Australia from Syria 25 years ago, claimed his only error was his failure to recognise Mr Packer.
It occurred just hours after Mr Packer’s girlfriend, Mariah Carey, performed for a 1500-strong VIP audience at the casino.
The verbal and physical confrontation took place at around lunchtime at Melbourne’s Crown casino on New Year’s Day
The couple spent Christmas in the upmarket ski resort of Aspen before ringing in the new year at his Crown casino in Melbourne where Mariah performed for revellers.
A spokesman for Crown Melbourne said: ‘A contract security officer, working inside the resort was radioed that a VIP was approaching his position, but failed to recognise Mr Packer, moving in front of him to attempt to physically block him from entering the casino and causing a collision,’ the statement said.
‘It’s understood that a verbal altercation ensued and Mr Packer continued into the facility .
Subsequently, Crown security followed normal procedures and protocols suspending the officer, pending a review.
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References
- ^ Sunday Herald Sun (www.heraldsun.com.au)
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