MALOOF DENIES BRITNEY DEAL IN WORKS

Whatever you are reading elsewhere is not true. Palms owner George Maloof granted by phone an exclusive interview this morning with the Buffet on the subject of his two recent meals with long-time friend Britney Spears. The result of those encounters with Spears has been widespread media speculation across the world that Spears intends either a Vegas show at the Palms or is talking with Maloof about mounting a $10-million world tour. There has even been speculation the two are dating. But in a brief conversation, Maloof, who is suffering from a cold, dismisses all of the stories as untrue, telling the Buffet unequivocally and exclusively: "Britney and I have been friends for a long time. I've been seeing her as a friend. We haven't spoken about business."