KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasBinion's Horseshoe at Center of Federal Investigation

Binion's Horseshoe at Center of Federal Investigation

(Jan. 29) -- Most employees have money taken out of every paycheck to pay for their share of their company's health insurance plan. But employees at Binion's Horseshoe say the money they paid into their health insurance plan actually ended up in the hands of the Horseshoe--not the insurance company.

Several employees have contacted Eyewitness News saying that when they go to the doctor they're being turned away because their claims aren't being paid. The situation has lead to a lot of frustration, anger and now a federal investigation.

Sam and Laura Wood say Binion's Horseshoe is gambling with their health and finances: "I'm paying my part, I'm just waiting on them to pay theirs," said Sam Wood, a Binion's Horseshoe employee. The Woods say Horseshoe owner Becky Behnen is taking money out of Sam's paycheck but not paying the insurance company, Mediversal.

They claim this has been going on for more than a year. "I called my pediatrician and they hadn't paid them. [I] called my OBGYN, [and they] hadn't paid him. Then I started getting bills," said Laura Wood, bills totaling thousands of dollars.

In addition, creditors have started calling. "We're telling them that we're trying to get the insurance money from the company I work for," said Sam Wood. Several Horseshoe employees say they're in the same boat. Now the Gaming Control Board and the U.S. Department of Labor are looking into the matter.

"Anyone can come in and file a charge. We conduct an investigation of the charges that are filed and we don't prejudge the charge, we do a thorough investigation and determine if there's a violation or not," said Stephen Wamser, U.S. Dept. Of Labor:

Behnen declined to speak on camera, but admits she's "fallen behind" on insurance payments. Although she wouldn't say how far behind or when the problem will be resolved, she says the Horseshoe has fallen on hard times, contradicting what she told Eyewitness News back in October. "No, no the Horseshoe is not having financial problems. I mean the Horseshoe has been here for 50 years, and I think it will be here long after I'm gone," said Becky Behnen, Binion's Horseshoe.

Now she says the economy and competition from California casinos are taking their toll. But the Woods say Behnen's actions are taking a financial toll on them as they struggle to pay bills they say Binion's is responsible for paying. The Woods are now speaking to an attorney and plan on filing a suit against the Horseshoe soon.

The Department of Labor says the decision on whether to file charges against the Horseshoe should be made by the end of business on Friday.

If you're concerned you may be in a similar situation contact your insurance company and ask them if your account is current. If there is a problem, call the Department of Labor. It's also a good idea to keep all your records until you're sure the claim has been paid by your insurance company, because ultimately you will be held responsible for the bill.

Click here, to email reporter Jon Summers.