What Happens in Vegas is Everybody's Business, in the Case of Hubert Blackman

LAS VEGAS (CBS) What happens in Vegas is completely public knowledge - if it concerns a certain college student who a) went on vacation at the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino last December, b) arranged for a prostitute to come to his room, and c) is suing the alleged prostitution service, because d) she shortchanged him.

Now, it is literally a federal case, according to the Las Vegas Sun, which says Hubert Blackman of New York City filed a lawsuit this month against a company he identified as Las Vegas Exclusive Personals, and which he claims he called to arrange for a stripper to come to his room and dance for him.

Blackman said the woman, who appeared to be in her mid 20s, stripped and performed a lap dance for $155 and a sex act for another $120. He said that the next morning, he called the company to demand his money back, saying he was dissatisfied because the entertainer left after a half hour, instead of for the hour he was promised.

Dissatisfied when Las Vegas Exclusive Personals didn't offer a refund, Blackman said he contacted Metro Police and was told he faced arrest for such conduct and was advised to contact the Better Business Bureau.

Yes, the Better Business Bureau.

Instead, after returning home Blackman filed suit in federal court in New York.

Believe it or not, the plaintiff claims he was traumatized. To wit: In the suit, which Blackman filed without an attorney, he said: "I...would like to get my $275 payment back and a $1.8 million verdict for the tragic event that happened," reported the Las Vegas Sun.

Not only was it a "tragic event," but Hubert Blackman also contends he now needs medical treatment for a mental condition related to the incident.

(Stupidity?)

Blackman further told the newspaper it was the dancer who solicited the sex act - although he acknowledged he was aware at the time that prostitution is illegal in Las Vegas.

The number listed in Blackman's lawsuit is used by Hillsboro Enterprises, which says it's been licensed for 17 years and provides adult dancers on a subcontractor outcall basis.

Officials at Hillsboro said Thursday they were unaware of the lawsuit or of Blackman's claims, but denied the company is involved in prostitution. They said if anyone calls looking to hire a dancer and indicates they're looking for sex, they're told prostitution is illegal in Las Vegas and all of Clark County.

Sometimes what happens in Vegas really would be better off staying there.