The Tuscany was conceived by Las Vegas developer Charles Heers,[1][2] whose family also owned the Vacation Village hotel and casino.

[4] For over a decade,[4] a life-sized ship advertised Heers' plan for the Caribbean resort,[5][6][7] which never materialized because of high interest rates.

[8] Heers eventually scrapped the Caribbean project, and began construction on the Italian-themed Tuscany hotel in January 2001,[9][10] after interest rates fell to an acceptable level.

[6] The Tuscany cost $100 million to build,[13] and was owned by Heers and business partner Gaylord Yost, an Arizona contractor.

The following month, Ellis filed a lawsuit against Heers, accusing him of breach of contract, fraud and misappropriation of trade practices secrets.

[15][18] In 2011, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) launched an investigation into claims that the Tuscany had been discriminating against non-citizen job applicants for the past five years.

[18] The Tuscany signed a five-year deal to serve as the host hotel for catering and media officials affiliated with the race.

[15] Originally called the T Spot Lounge, it was renamed in honor of the Copa Room, a Strip venue where the Rat Pack had performed.

[35] A tribute show, The Rat Pack Is Back, opened at the Tuscany's Copa Room in 2015, coinciding with the venue's name change.