Circa CEO Derek Stevens Accused of Encouraging Brutal Beating of Homeless Man

Circa Resort & Casino CEO Derek Stevens encouraged a security guard to brutally beat a homeless man outside the downtown Las Vegas property, according to a federal lawsuit filed this week. The complaint alleges Stevens even moved the victim’s personal belongings to create space for the assault.

The allegations have surfaced in a legal battle over whether insurance giant Chubb must cover potential damages arising from the July 2022 attack, for which the security guard was subsequently convicted of a felony.

On July 29, 2022, Lance Koiner and another unhoused person were sitting on the sidewalk outside Circa with their belongings when Stevens ordered them to leave, according to a complaint filed Oct. 20 in U.S. District Court in Nevada by Chubb subsidiary ACE American Insurance Co.

Koiner refused, prompting Stevens to instruct uniformed Circa security guard Dwan Denton to remove him, the filing alleges.

Denton then picked up Koiner, repeatedly slammed him into the pavement, and kicked him, according to the complaint, which notes that Circa’s surveillance cameras captured the entire assault.

Stevens allegedly “condoned and facilitated” the beating, encouraged the violence, and personally moved Koiner’s belongings to give Denton additional room to carry out the attack, according to allegations from Koiner’s state civil lawsuit recounted in the insurer’s federal filing.

Security Guard Convicted of Felony

Koiner was knocked unconscious and rushed to a hospital, according to court documents. He allegedly suffered a traumatic brain injury and severe spinal injuries requiring surgery, along with other permanent disabilities.

Denton subsequently pleaded guilty to felony battery resulting in substantial bodily harm, the insurer’s lawsuit states. A formal judgment of conviction was entered on Jan. 5, 2024.

In his written plea agreement, Denton admitted to throwing Koiner to the ground multiple times and kicking him, inflicting substantial bodily harm, according to court filings.

Koiner sued Stevens, Denton, and several Circa-related corporate entities in Clark County District Court in July 2024. His lawsuit alleges negligence, assault, battery, civil conspiracy, harassment, coercion, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, seeking more than $1 million in damages, including punitive damages.

The allegations against Stevens have not been established by a court judgment. While a Circa spokesperson told Casino.org that the company does not comment on ongoing litigation, they added: “We can say unequivocally that Derek did not and would not direct or encourage anyone to be harmed.”  

$10 Million Coverage Dispute

ACE sued Stevens and several Circa entities in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, asking a federal judge to rule that it has no legal obligation to indemnify the defendants or cover potential damages.

ACE’s excess umbrella policy provides up to $10 million in coverage per occurrence, but contains an explicit “abuse or molestation” exclusion that applies to physical abuse. ACE argues the alleged beating falls directly within that exclusion, invalidating claims that Circa negligently employed, trained, or supervised Denton.

Circa’s primary insurer, Zurich American, is currently providing defense counsel for Stevens, Circa, and Denton, though it may still dispute ultimate coverage. ACE has also appointed defense counsel to monitor the litigation but maintains it has no obligation to contribute toward legal fees or payouts, even if primary insurance limits are exhausted.

ACE is seeking a formal declaratory judgment stating it is not required to defend the parties or pay out damages under the policy.