Vegas run by gays and Jews, says magician

Swedish magician Joe Labero has provoked a strong reaction with suggestions that Las Vegas is controlled by "Jewish business syndicates, American dollar millionaires and homosexual booking agents".

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The magic master's comments were made in an interview with rail company SJ's on-board magazine Kupé.

As a prelude to his controversial thesis, Labero explained that he has long been close to getting his own show in Las Vegas.

"But at the end of the day it seems to be impossible - unless you are a homosexual, a Jew or an American.

"I don't mean to sound prejudiced of course, I'm just cynical. A blond Swedish Viking will have a hard time breaking through the hierarchies that control Vegas, where power rests in the hands of Jewish business syndicates, American dollar millionaires and homosexual booking agents.

"But I will get there, sooner of later," Labero told the magazine.

Joe Labero is the stage name of Lars Bengt Roland Johansson.

Sören Andersson, chairman of the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights (RFSL) took exception to the illusionist's remarks.

"I think it's rather nasty to say things like this. The implication is that everybody who is not ether Jewish or homosexual is being discriminated against," he told The Local.

"It is reminiscent of the world-famous Jewish conspiracy, now extended to also include gays. But these are two groups that have typically been the victims of discrimination.

"Putting the blame on specific groups says more about Joe Labero than anybody else," he added.

The editor of Kupé magazine admitted that he had been hesitant about publishing the controversial quotes.

"We discussed this a lot internally before arriving at the conclusion that it would be controversial and inappropriate in the context of a Swedish discussion.

"But we also raised it in the context of an American discussion, where it is not considered controversial to say that decisions in Hollywood are dominated by Jewish, homosexual and American interests," Gunnar Wesslén told newspaper Resumé.

Rail operator SJ has taken up the matter with Mediabolaget, the company responsible for producing the magazine on its behalf.

"We are having serious talks with the editor and the company about what has happened and why it was allowed to happen," press spokesman Mark Vadasz told Resumé.

Joe Labero meanwhile has shelved his plans for a Vegas show as he instead sets his sights on Asia.

"I am quite simply a bit tired of the Yanks at the moment," he told Kupé.