More troubles for Westgate - Other exhibit closes, Feds probe as Elvis lawsuit still looms

Here's a closer look at the people behind Westgate who Elvis Presley Enterprises is now in legal battle over Elvis memorabilia. The first clip is from their documentary in 2012. The second clip speaks for itself. Watch as host Andy Cohen catches on to the back pedaling. His expressions are priceless. Very telling!

Having seen this documentary, I was shocked when I heard EPE was going into business with them.. And I knew this would be nothing but T-R-O-U-B-L-E!

Can you picture Priscilla Presley and Jackie shopping or having dinner? Absolutely Not!

The Queen of Versallies vs the King of Rock n Roll

Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE) Inc. filed a lawsuit against the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino over hundreds of memorabilia items.
EPE says that the Westgate is holding the Elvis ephemera as leverage in a leasing dispute with Exhibit A Circle, the third-party operator of the "Graceland Presents Elvis" attraction at the casino. Items include stage outfits, jewelry, letters and other personal items.

Here are some other troubles Westgate is facing:

Federal agency probes Westgate Resorts selling tactics

Federal consumer watchdogs have launched a probe to gather information about Orlando-based Westgate Resorts timeshare selling  or finance tactics.

The probe is to determine if Westgate salespeople are violating federal law, according to recent order issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

More

Westgate Resorts isn’t swearing off future animal shows at its Las Vegas Resort, even though magician Dick Arthur canceled his shows there and PETA is asking for a permanent ban.

Arthur, a so-called animal illusionist, specializes in magic shows with tigers performing tricks. He became the target of protests recently by the not-for-profit group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Arthur canceled his shows at Westgate, which PETA alleges was due to low ticket sales. Then PETA wrote a letter to Westgate CEO David Siegel, who is based in Orlando, asking him to ban any future animal shows at the Las Vegas Resort.

(BIM - Interesting that another attraction at Westgate has had POOR Ticket Sales, so it's not just Elvis. Sounds like there's a serious problem with Westgate and not Elvis. It's so unfortunate that the Las Vegas Hilton is in the hands of these people. Let's hope it doesn't end up like the Aladdin, blown up and gone forever.)

More

Investors are dumping stock in timeshare operators in the wake of news that federal regulators are taking a close look at the largest player in the industry.

On Friday, BuzzFeed News reported that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is looking into the sales, marketing, and financing practices of Westgate Resorts, the country’s largest privately held timeshare operator. On Monday, the share prices of its publicly traded competitors dropped sharply.

More

Diamond Resorts (NYSE: DRII) declined Monday, falling over 10%. Weakness follows reports the CFPB launched a probe of private, Orlando-based Westgate Resorts related to its selling and finance tactics. In the view of analsyt Carlo Santarelli of Deutsche Bank, headlines could be an overhang for the industry.

More