Artist Sues Hoover Dam Store

LAS VEGAS (CN) - An artist who created a bronze sculpture of a worker on the Hoover Dam says he was stiffed on royalties from sale of tchotchkes at the Hoover Dam Store and Snackateria. Steve Ligouri says they agreed that instead of being paid $600,000 for his work, he would be paid $166,000 and get a share in the proceeds of merchandise based on his sculpture.

In his federal complaint, Ligouri says he discussed ideas for the commemorative souvenir with defendant Bert Hansen of the Hoover Dam Snackateria. The discussions led Ligouri to create and install a 2-foot tall bronze statue called "Hoover Dam High Scaler."

Ligouri says he was promised 17 percent of the gross for all such products, including chess pieces, thimbles, key rings and belt buckles.

But Ligouri says he was never paid, and that the defendants continue to sell merchandise based on his artwork without paying him.

Defendants include the High Scaler Café, and Kawana Pohe dba the Hoover Dam Store.

He wants the defendants enjoined from making or selling any more merchandise bearing his artwork, and he wants the items impounded and destroyed, and damages for copyright infringement.

He is represented by Robert Ryan with Holland & Hart of Reno.

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