Copperfield in Vegas

I am waiting to write about David Copperfield until he is charged with a crime or I have solid on-the-record information to give you.

But as the allegations swirl around David Copperfield, I have been doing my own reporting into Copperfield in Vegas. Ever since I first moved to Vegas, Copperfield has been a Vegas regular, performing 22 weeks a year at MGM.

 

I have never interviewed him, but we know some of the same people. I have spoken to former employees, other magicians and people in the Vegas entertainment business about Copperfield. And, I honestly so far have nothing to offer on the topic of the accusations against him, nor am I comfortable speculating about his private life.

 

But one thing that is striking is that the picture that is emerging from my interviews is of a man who is widely disliked in Las Vegas.

In fact, I was surprised by the degree of vitriol that some people can summon for this almost forgotten celebrity magician from the '80s. Two people who worked for him at one time both used the term "control freak" in describing his behavior to me. Of course, they could be disgruntled former employees.

Also notable is that to my knowledge, no Vegas magicians or headliners are standing up to offer him support or vouch for his character in the face of allegations. Vegas is silent and watching.

 

But people in Vegas are talking through the media. 

I've read on other sites and heard people talk on cable quoting anonymous sources in Vegas (maybe the same ones I am talking to?), and the thing I am learning is that many people in Las Vegas seem to bear  lots of ill will toward David Copperfield. So, in addition to his presumption of innocence, I suggest those who are paying attention to this story take a grain of salt with every anonymous Vegas source. True or not, it is worth noting that a lot of people here don't like him and are only willing to say so off the record. 

 

So, for the Buffet, I will wait until I have solid information from my reporting or any developments happen with the Grand Jury.