Las Vegas

Marisa O'Neil Two Orange County women were convicted Tuesday of multiple counts of identity theft in a scheme they hatched while working at a Newport Beach financial advising company, prosecutors said. Alina Adamian, 33, of Laguna Niguel, and Tammy Smirien, 35, of Huntington Beach, were accused of taking a more-than-$250,000 loan out on one victim's life insurance policy without his knowledge, Senior Deputy Dist. Atty. Randy Pawloski said. The women also stole identities of other victims to set up a Ponzi scheme, he said.

Barry Faulkner There was the trademark toss of his No. 91 jersey into the postgame crowd. But, since a hamstring injury relegated him to the sideline for all but the first 2:18 of Thursday night's Orange County Crush home American Basketball Association debut against the Las Vegas Rattlers, Dennis Rodman left it to teammate Jeremee McGuire to provide the last-second heroics at the Bren Events Center. The 6-foot-11 McGuire, out of the University of Houston, did his best Rodman imitation -- collecting an offensive rebound off a missed 19-foot jumper by Derrick Dial and laying it in with one second left for the difference in a 124-123 Crush victory before about 300 spectators.

Deepa Bharath A Newport Beach con man who allegedly masqueraded as an attorney and eluded FBI officials for almost a week was arrested Tuesday in Las Vegas, officials said. FBI agents had been looking for Harold David Goldstein, 58, since his indictment Wednesday on two counts of making false declarations by telling a federal court that he was a licensed attorney, said Assistant U.S. Atty. Jeannie Masse. Harold Goldstein used the name of David Goldstein, a real attorney in Redwood City, she said.

They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Well, Kyle Wilson, the starter at Costa Mesa Country Club, is in Las Vegas, but he’s no longer in the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship. Wilson, a Costa Mesa native, said Friday night that he’s just hanging out with friends in Sin City after getting eliminated from competition after seven rounds. “I’m probably going to end up somewhere in the middle of the pack when everything is over [tonight],” said the 33-year-old, who qualified for the event for the second time.

On Oct. 28, Brenda Chandler of Costa Mesa was down the street visiting with her sister when the bank called telling her that someone in Las Vegas had withdrawn $500 from her account that day. "My husband called me and sort of joking asked if I was in Las Vegas," Chandler said. Her husband had just gotten off the phone with their bank, which notified him that her debit card information had been used that weekend to withdraw $1,500 from ATMs in casinos. When she received her bank statement, Chandler discovered that the thieves had withdrawn $500 at a time, at the New York, New York, and Sahara casinos, and at a 7-Eleven along South Boulder Highway.

Walid Khoury and his identical twin brother Ziad picked a perfect name when launching a Newport-Mesa soccer club eight years ago. The Slammers fit, more so than ever. "We're definitely slamming the door on the competition," Walid said. The Slammers sure are as they're sending a record six girls' teams to the U.S. Youth Soccer Far Western Regionals, a seven-day tournament starting today in Las Vegas. The Slammers' teams qualifying out of the U.S. Youth Soccer State Championships are the under-12, under-14, under-15, under-16, all which finished first, and the under-17 and under-18, which were runner-ups.

Thomas J. Fitz of Las Vegas, Nev., and Mr. and Mrs. Richard T. Hillman of Balboa Island have announced the engagement of their daughter, Danielle B. Fitz, to William "Tony" A. Spear, both of Jacksonville, Fla. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. William L. Spear of Palm Coast, Fla. The bride-to-be is a graduate of Corona del Mar High School and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The groom-to-be is a graduate of Corona del Mar High School and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Jacksonville University, where he earned his master's degree in business administration.

Dennis Rodman pleads not guilty Dennis Rodman pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges of drunk driving, reckless driving and obstruction of justice after a motorcycle accident outside a Las Vegas strip club in October. The West Newport resident did not appear in Las Vegas Municipal Court. His attorney, Karen Winckler, entered the plea on his behalf. The 42-year-old Rodman, who is trying to make a comeback to the NBA by playing with the Long Beach Jam of the American Basketball Assn.

A man Newport Beach police suspect who stole more than $1 million in a string of high-profile burglaries was arrested in Nevada after he led Las Vegas police on a high-speed chase in a red Ford Mustang convertible, authorities said Thursday. Nevada law enforcement officers arrested Richard William Abbott, 45, on Wednesday night on the I-15 Freeway heading out of Las Vegas after he sped away from a police officer who spotted his GT500 convertible with a black top in the casino district of the city, Las Vegas Officer Barbara Morgan said.

LAS VEGAS — The Newport-Beach based Slammers under-18 girls' team won a thriller, while two other girls' teams captured meaningful victories to advance to today's finals at the U.S. Youth Soccer Far Western Regionals. The Slammers under-18 squad defeated Real Colorado National in overtime, 1-0. The Slammers include Taylor Fallon, a Corona del Mar High product, and Jackie Venke, who is originally from Newport Beach, and attended Mater Dei. They will face the Mustang Blast, of Northern California, today.

Monday was quite a day in the Di Giulio household. Joseph Di Giulio and his younger brother, Austin, each won junior tennis titles at the Mike Agassi "No Quit" Championships in Las Vegas. The Newport Beach residents each had impressive victories in their final match. Top-seeded Joseph Di Guilio came back to beat No. 2-seeded William Griffith of Fresno, 3-6, 7-6 (1), 7-5, in the boys' 16-and-under championship match. Austin Di Giulio was unseeded, but he breezed past Zummy Bauer of Georgia, 6-1, 6-1, to win the boys' 12s title.

Titus Hasson talked to his father last week, after his football game at Newport Harbor High. Hasson gave him his stats, 110 yards and two touchdowns as a running back and two interceptions as a safety. Anthony Hasson told his son he was proud of his overall performance on the field. "He said he's my No. 1 fan," said Hasson, a senior. Hasson's top supporter has never seen him play in high school. Hasson said his father is in jail. Anthony has been, Hasson said, since Hasson entered seventh grade.

Expect a famous explosion of sound and spectacle from the painted men who never speak on stage when the Blue Man Group's North American theatrical tour rocks the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa on Nov. 8 to 20. Best known for its three distinctive blue and bald characters, a live band, as well as multimedia concert and theatrical performances, Blue Man Group is credited with revolutionizing live performance by blending music, comedy...

On certain days during this month, Allie Krugman has spent her time at Pepperdine University. It's a break from the norm, something she can use as she intensely works on the pole vault. At Pepperdine, she can escape, studying film with others as part of the digital filmmaking camp. She now knows how to shoot a short film. A live camera might be needed for Krugman today. It could provide entertainment, maybe even a happy ending. Krugman, an incoming senior at Newport Harbor High, will compete in the National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships in Sacramento.

Award-winning chef Grant MacPherson, who has cooked for the likes of Princess Diana and Nelson Mandela, will open a high-end Italian restaurant at Fashion Island in June as part of an ongoing, $100-million renovation project at the Newport Beach shopping center, Irvine Co. officials announced Thursday. Called Rustica, the new eatery will have an expansive patio and a menu featuring homemade breads, pasta and gelato. “The concept is taking modern Italian cooking techniques with seasonal California ingredients,” MacPherson said.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I just threw away my bathroom scale after the daylong feast. It reminds me of the long-distance yacht deliveries where I am known by my crew for stocking the vessel’s bridge with munchies to help us keep awake on watch. I think that munchies are listed as Coast Guard-required equipment on my yacht deliveries. On another note, the day after Thanksgiving signals the time to start decorating your boat for the holiday boat parades.

The gala launch of the Ancient Paths, Modern Voices festival of Chinese culture Wednesday night at South Coast Plaza featured a special appearance by Cirque du Soleil performers from the show “Ka.” Artistic Director Marie-Helene Gagnon described the show as an Asian-inspired visual and auditory feast about two twins seeking to regain their thrones. It is currently presented at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. “I think it just underscores what an international destination South Coast Plaza is,” said Debra Gunn Downing, South Coast Plaza’s executive marketing director.

It all started seven years ago for Brock Noteboom after he won some money in Las Vegas. Noteboom and some buddies went in on a pool table with the winnings. Just a hobby to pass the time — at first. “After six months, we wanted to see how good we really were,” said Noteboom, 28. “We went down to a local tournament and I got third. Ever since then, I’ve loved playing tournaments. I caught the bug, started playing in leagues.” He plays in leagues run by the American Poolplayers Assn.

What does a band do when it reaches its goal? Relax, and enjoy the ride. Local U2 tribute band The Joshua Tree’s biggest dream was to play at the House of Blues, or in Las Vegas. Known for its spot-on take of the boys from Dublin, from costume to attitude to sound, The Joshua Tree has well surpassed that goal — yet its members are content to enjoy their fan base and regular gigs. The Joshua Tree will perform in an arena at the Orange County Fair tonight, followed by a smaller show at the Blue Café in Huntington Beach in August.