MGM Proposes Donating Nearly $ 1 Million On Behalf Of Las Vegas Victims To Justice: NPR

The company suing the surviving victims of Las Vegas mass shooting in 2017 has offered to donate charities on their behalf.

In a letter to lawyers representing over 1,900 named defendants on Tuesday, MGM Resorts International offered to donate $ 500 to any charity related to the deadly shooting for victims who allow their lawyers to accept legal action.

"This is not just a common practice, it also allows us to take the money that would be spent on personal service and use it to support community organizations working for the benefit of the victims of the tragedy", said Debra DeShong, vice president of corporate communications for MGM Resorts told NPR.

All of the defendants are victims of the shooting that took part in the Harvest Road 91 festival on Oct. 1 and have threatened lawsuits against MGM Resorts or filed lawsuits that have since been dismissed, DeShong said.

Stephen Paddock fired into the crowd from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Resort, killing 58 people and injuring more than 800 people.

"We believe that donating to a charity on October 1 or another appropriate cause makes more sense than spending money to serve personally. [defendants]"Said DeShong.

Lawyers have until September 14 to accept the legal notice on behalf of their clients, said Mr. DeShong, adding that the next step in the process was the transfer of cases to federal courts.

As part of a legal maneuver to avoid liability claims, MGM is asking the federal courts to dismiss the existing lawsuits against the company, claiming that it can not be held responsible for the deaths, injuries or damages resulting from the massacre perpetrated by a man his properties.

As Camila Domonske, of NPR, the operator of the casino and complex, says, "cites a 2002 federal law aimed at encouraging businesses to deploy anti-terrorism security technologies without fear of being held accountable. of any terrorist attack ".

MGM does not ask for financial damages.

Lisa Fine, president and co-founder of Route 91 Strong, a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to survivors of the shooting and to the families of the victims, said the move is slow in coming.

"I would have liked them to do it from the very beginning," Fine told NPR. "Instead, they announced that they would sue everyone, which was ridiculous and terrible, but I'm glad they're doing something to help people."

It's hard to know how quickly checks will be mailed, but Ms. Fine said she hoped it would happen quickly "because people are desperate."

"We have a single mother who is about to be deported because she can not work because of the post-traumatic stress of shooting," Fine said.

"Frankly, I'd like it if [MGM] donated to our non-profit some of that money. And if it's not we, I hope they'll give it to the organizations that give directly to the survivors, "Fine said.