The Implosion of Oscar Goodman
.
The man who once called
himself
"The happiest mayor in the world" is suddenly the subject of a
hard-hitting
ethics complaint and in-depth investigation. His recent bizarre
behavior inspired additional questions about his character,
loyalties,
and ability to serve as mayor of the fastest growing city in the United
States. - SM
March 02, 2005
Mayor endorses gin to fourth graders
School officials say Goodman's remarks were inappropriate
By
Dan Kulin and Emily Richmond
LAS
VEGAS SUN
Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman told a group of
fourth
graders on Monday that if he was marooned on a desert island the one
thing he would want to have with him is a bottle of gin. And when a
student quizzed Goodman about his hobbies he replied that "drinking"
was one of them, said Mackey Elementary School Principal Kamala
Washington, who was present for the mayor's visit. Goodman
was unapologetic for his comments that came during his visit to the
elementary school in North Las Vegas.
March 04, 2005
Goodman: 'I love to drink'
"If they didn't
want the answer the kid shouldn't have asked the question."
By Dan Kulin
LAS
VEGAS SUN
Thursday, March 03, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
REMARKS TO FOURTH-GRADERS: Mayor's talk
of gin criticized
Parents, others not
amused by comments
By ANTONIO PLANAS and ERIN NEFF
REVIEW-JOURNAL
<>It was martinis with the mayor Monday at Mackey
Elementary
School, but Oscar Goodman's comments to fourth-graders about his
fondness for gin now have him on the rocks. Friday, September 10, 2004
Sep. 28, 2005
Copyright
© Las Vegas Review-Journal
Ethics complaint filed against Goodman
Critics say mayor violated law by voting on matters
affecting former criminal defense client Billy Walters
By ED VOGEL
REVIEW-JOURNAL CAPITAL BUREAU
September 27, 2005
Miller, Rose file ethics complaint against Goodman
By Dan Kulin
LAS VEGAS
SUN
Billy spills the beans
$50 million dollar windfall hangs in
the balance,
but old friend may no longer be able to help
INSIDE VEGAS by Steve Miller
AmericanMafia.com
October 3, 2005
KRNV-TV—Reno, NV
TOP STORIES
September 29, 2005
Las Vegas
mayor faces another ethics complaint
Copyright © Las Vegas
Review-Journal
Mayor denies son got help with deal
Downtown property owner target of lawsuit
By MICHAEL SQUIRES
REVIEW-JOURNAL
Mayor Oscar Goodman denied Thursday that his name, position or access
to
information aided his son in a disputed downtown land deal... A letter
sent to Von
Sturm by Ross Goodman bore his father's name on the letterhead as "of
counsel," meaning he has a connection to his son's firm but is not
involved in
day-to-day operations.
Sunday, May 09, 2004
Columnist Jeff German: Memories of mob shouldn't be a hit
LAS VEGAS SUN
He represented some of the most notorious mobsters of all time, but
for the first 25 years of his career as a criminal defense attorney,
Oscar
Goodman refused to admit that the Mafia existed. It was part of his
defense
strategy to drum up public support for the likes of Meyer Lansky, Nick
Civella and Tony Spilotro, who found themselves facing heavy government
scrutiny throughout much of their criminal careers... Today, in his
second
term as mayor of Las Vegas, Goodman is making amends for telling that
lie
for so long. He has pushed the City Council into agreeing to build a
shrine
to the organized crime figures who played a big role in the city's
early
days. The council last week approved plans to turn the historic
downtown
post office and courthouse, which is a couple of blocks from City Hall,
into a cultural center that will feature an exhibit on the history of
the
mob in Las Vegas.
FULL
COLUMN
Columnist Jon Ralston: A chance to stop the madness
Las Vegas SUN
Sunday, May 09, 2004
Goodman has treated the allegations as fodder for his long-running,
very popular vaudeville act. The mayor has given speeches in which he
shoots
off one-liners about helping his sons. More recently he rubbed a
dwarf's
head for good luck. "We got a midget. We can't lose (before the ethics
panel) now," His Honor whooped 10 days ago, as reported by Sun
columnist
Timothy McDarrah. Goodman followed that obscenity by high-fiving his
faux
chief of staff. Get it folks: It's all a big joke, the mayor's practice
of using his office for self and family aggrandizement. If you laugh
along,
you, too, won't take it seriously.
FULL
COLUMN
Columnist Jon Ralston: Some ethics lapses so obvious
Las Vegas SUN
WEEKEND EDITION
April 24 - 25, 2004
Similarly, it matters little whether the ethics tribunal ever punishes
the father-son act performing on Stewart Avenue for turning the city
government
into a house of ill repute. Mayor Oscar Goodman may lament that
brothels
are not legal downtown, but the one he and his stepchild Michael Mack
already
are operating down on Stewart Avenue seems like a good place to start
the
red-light district... The mayoral motto, "anything that's legal," is
not
the same as anything that's ethical. And most people know the
difference.
FULL
COLUMN
Today: April 19, 2004 at 11:07:28 PDT
Ethics panel chief on Goodman's witness list
By Sito Negron
LAS VEGAS SUN
Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman's witness list for his May 12-13 ethics
hearing includes the man (Robert Rose) who filed the initial complaint
against him and the executive director of the state Commission on
Ethics,
who prepared the report that recommended a full commission hearing. But
Stacy Jennings, the commission's executive director, said it's unlikely
that
either she or the complainant will be called before the commission.
"Under
the administrative procedures act only people with first hand knowledge
of the facts and events are allowed to testify," Jennings said. "I
don't
know that I have any first hand knowledge of anything the mayor did."
She
said Goodman is trying to deflect attention from whether or not he
broke
ethics rules... Goodman's witness list says that he wants to ask Rose
if
anyone helped him prepare the complaint. Rose said he'd be happy to
testify.
"If he thinks somebody helped me he's got another thing coming," said
Rose.
FULL
STORY
Robert Rose in front of Las Vegas City Hall
(AmericanMafia.com
photo by Steve Miller)
Sunday, April 18, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
WEEK IN REVIEW: Reporters Notebook
Gin endorsement hangover continues for Goodman.
THURSDAY'S NEWS CONFERENCE BROUGHT ROUND 2 between Mayor Oscar Goodman
and political commentator Jon Ralston.
FULL
STORY
Sunday, April 18, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
STEVE SEBELIUS: Goodman -- So what?
But if wasted tax dollars, violations of state ethics laws and lies
don't grab you, how about the fact that Goodman (assisted by Boixo) has
turned an entire department of city government into his own personal
public
relations agency? He defends his actions, saying he produced "millions
of dollars" of publicity for Las Vegas... But if wasted tax
dollars,
violations of state ethics laws, lies or a pre-Magna Carta monarchy at
City Hall don't grab you, then ... oh, never mind.
FULL
COLUMN
Sunday, April 18, 2004
EDITORIAL: 'I have a very bad temper'
Colorful Mayor Oscar Goodman seems a bit on edge lately
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
The mayor lashed out at the Ethics Commission members during a hastily
called April 2 news conference, and then stormed out of a subsequent
April
8 press conference after only a few minutes, refusing to answer
questions
about the ethics allegations. He has appeared combative, bombastic and
barely under control. The mayor seems to believe the ethics charges are
a petty matter, blown out of proportion by prospective rivals who are
manipulating
the process to damage him or keep him out of the 2006 gubernatorial
race.
FULL
EDITORIAL
Saturday, April 17, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
Mayor's witness list includes executive director of ethics panel
By MICHAEL SQUIRES
REVIEW-JOURNAL
Mayor Oscar Goodman's witness list for next month's ethics hearing
indicates he'd still like to shed light on the shadowy motives and
figures
he claims are driving the charges against him. Included among 17
potential
witness are the executive director of the Nevada Commission on Ethics,
whom the mayor has accused of pursuing a political agenda against him,
and ethics watchdog Robert Rose, who filed the complaint against
Goodman.
FULL
STORY
April 16, 2004
VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Family tree
Las Vegas SUN
For several months Boixo, the mayor's chief of staff, has been
romantically
involved with Eric Goodman, the attorney son of her boss, Las Vegas
Mayor
Oscar Goodman.
FULL
COLUMN
April 16, 2004
Columnist Jon Ralston: Mack is murky about clients
Las Vegas SUN
Mack also quietly has lobbied the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors
Authority on behalf of a company that also has ties to mayoral son,
Ross
Goodman -- the firm is related to iPolitix, the outfit that has landed
His Honor before the ethics panel... his mysterious business alliance
with
the mayor's son -- remember, they were both hired, for some reason, by
the strip club Treasures -- and his even more murky business venture,
where
he won't reveal his associates or clients, send a loud message that his
continued presence on the council is worth remembering.
FULL
COLUMN:
April 16, 2004
Columnist Jeff German: Ringmaster Goodman created his own circus
Las Vegas SUN
And though he appeared alone on camera during his weekly televised
news conference Thursday, Goodman, like all good circus ringmasters,
had
a supporting cast around him out of the camera's view. On his right was
David Riggleman, the city's communications director, who was holding a
large parabolic microphone (the kind you see on the field at television
football games) to capture the sound of reporters asking questions. To
his left was Elaine Sanchez, his spokeswoman, who was taking more notes
than the reporters. Sitting off to the side was Stephanie Boixo, his
young
chief of staff, who also was jotting down notes. Waiting in the wings
behind
the three rows of reporters was City Attorney Brad Jerbic, the mayor's
unofficial legal adviser -- and lead tightrope walker. And just to make
sure the fourth-estaters didn't get too up close and personal with
Goodman,
three armed city marshals positioned themselves strategically in the
audience.
FULL
COLUMN
Today: April 16, 2004 at 11:14:59 PDT
Goodman saving comments for panel
By Sito Negron
LAS VEGAS SUN
...he had appeared in several television interviews since last week,
including one three hours before his press conference... "I believe at
this point in time the answers will be misconstrued, the questions will
become the answers ... I don't want to put myself in a position where
I'm
going to be able to harm my status when I appear in front of the
commission,"
Goodman answered. Another reporter asked what had changed in the three
hours since he appeared on television and his news conference.
FULL
STORY
Today: April 16, 2004 at 11:14:59 PDT
Columnist Jeff German: Ethics chief coming to the action
Las Vegas SUN
Jennings isn't the only one who has been busy keeping an eye on
politicians.
Other state and federal authorities have seen their workload increase
as
well. Goodman, who has come under fire for promoting a business
involving
his son Ross at a Washington cocktail party, is the latest in a long
line
of elected officials who have let conflicts of interest test their
loyalty
to the voters. City Councilman Michael Mack, who can't get through a
public
meeting without having to disclose one of his business deals; outgoing
Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald, who until recently was on the
board
of gaming giant Station Casinos; and former Councilman Michael
McDonald,
who threw his weight around City Hall to help his boss in private
business,
all have attracted the attention of the Ethics Commission. At the
moment
the Nevada attorney general's office is spearheading a probe into the
campaign
finances of Councilwoman Janet Moncrief.
FULL
COLUMN
Today: April 15, 2004 at 10:55:39 PDT
Commission approves witness list for Goodman's ethics hearing
By Sito Negron
LAS VEGAS SUN
Goodman will face eight charges of state ethics violations in front
of the Ethics Commission on May 12. If convicted of the charges, he
could
face fines and possible removal from office. The charges are outlined
in
a report released April 2. In the report, Jennings said that Jerbic and
Redlein called her office March 11 and engaged in a conversation with
her
and Commission Counsel Nancy Lee Varnum in which they "asked pointed
questions
about where the investigation was going." She wrote that their conduct
was "entirely inappropriate" and "may implicate NRS 281.551 (2)." That
rule allows the commission to levy a fine of up to $5,000 on people who
interfere with investigations. The witness list states that Jerbic and
Redlein's anticipated testimony will involve their knowledge of
possible
interference with investigation into the Goodman complaint.
FULL
STORY
April 09, 2004
Once the Happy Mayor, now Oscar the Grouch
By Jon Ralston
LAS VEGAS SUN
WEEKEND EDITION
April 10 - 11, 2004
Flangas: In his response to the Request for Opinion, the ethics
complaint,
the Mayor skillfully and eloquently dodged the real issues. The excuses
and protestations are outstanding, the performance is lacking. A
reckless
disregard and cavalier attitude towards the public trust is
self-evident.
There is nothing complicated about ethics. Ethics is a matter of
personal
conscience with a duty and obligation to exercise moral self-discipline
in the spirit of a public service as a public trust. Mayor Goodman
violated
both the spirit and the intent of the law.
FULL
COLUMN
Today: April 09, 2004 at 9:49:24 PDT
Mayor storms out of press meeting after ethics questions
By Sito Negron
LAS VEGAS SUN
Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman stalked out of his weekly press
conference
Thursday after refusing to answer questions about issues related to the
ethics complaint against him.
FULL
STORY
Thursday, April 08, 2004
JANE ANN MORRISON: Goodman on defensive not one of Vegas' best acts
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
Suddenly he was the defense attorney of yesteryear, the master of
misdirection,
the mob mouthpiece indignantly lashing out. But this time it was on his
own behalf that he was charging government persecution and conspiracy.
FULL
COMMENTARY
Mayor Quickly Exits News Conference
KLAS TV Channel 8 News
(Apr. 7) -- Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman made a quick exit in the
middle
of his weekly news conference Thursday. Eyewitness News political
analyst
Jon Ralston, and Face to Face producer Dana Gentry both asked the mayor
questions about his alleged ethics violations. They were questions the
mayor was not about to answer.
Mayor Goodman: "I'm not gonna discuss that."
Ralston: "Why not?"
Mayor Goodman: "I'm not gonna talk to you, that's why."
Ralston: "Why not?"
Mayor Goodman: "I say that respectfully, I have no respect for you."
Ralston: "So you're not going to answer any questions?"
Mayor Goodman: "I'm not gonna answer any of your questions, I have
no
respect for you."
Ralston: "Well, I'm gonna keep asking them. You can decide what you
wanna do."
Mayor Goodman: "Anybody else? I'll see ya everybody, thank you."
Dana Gentry: "Mayor, I had a question. After the 2001 attacks, you
said
you needed to augment city revenue, and that was at the time you
proposed
the gin endorsement, and the money would go to homeless services. At
what
point did you decide to give half of the money to the Meadows?"
Mayor Goodman: "Well, you know that's a lie. I did not make that
decision.
I'm not gonna participate in anything to do with this gentleman here.
It's
a lie. I never made the decision that money would go any place. That
decision
was made by Larry Ruvo, and you know it. That's it folks."
Mayor Oscar Goodman is scheduled to appear before the state ethics
board
on May 12th and 13th. The public hearing will begin at 9 a.m. at the
Grant
Sawyer building downtown.
You can watch the proceedings live on our sister cable station, Las
Vegas One, channels 1 and 19.
URL
FOR THIS STORY
Today: April 06, 2004 at 11:24:41 PDT
Columnist Jeff German: Goodman needs dose of humility
Las Vegas SUN
Goodman also would be wise not to count on his popularity with the
public to carry him through this. He should remember that even the most
popular politicians still are human and make errors in judgment. When
politicians
think they're above the law, they usually find out in a hurry that
they're
not as popular as they think.
FULL
COLUMN
Tuesday, April 06, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
GOODMAN INQUIRY: Director of ethics panel defends self
Mayor says probe politically motivated
By MICHAEL SQUIRES
REVIEW-JOURNAL
Allegations are confidentially vetted by a two-member panel before
they move forward, he pointed out. "But it's not uncommon or unexpected
that there will be some personal attacks made against the person doing
the investigations," he said.
FULL
STORY
Colleen May, Anchor
KLAS TV Channel 8 News
Some Say Mayor Has Conflict of Interest
April 5, 2003
UNLV Professor Craig Walton responded, "That was shocking. He said
the kinds of things you'd expect to hear from dictators -- 'will run
Las
Vegas anyway I want to run it' -- 'no one will tell me how to run it'
--
and attacking other people attacking the ethics commission the
director,
the citizen who made the complaint. It's frightening and it's arrogant
for any of us to take that attitude in a Democratic republic it's not
suitable."
If the commission finds that Mayor Goodman had 3 separate willful
violations,
it can lead to the commission filing paperwork with the proper courts
for
Goodman's removal from office.
FULL
STORY
Today: April 05, 2004 at 11:35:32 PDT
Goodman responds to ethics allegations
By Sito Negron
LAS VEGAS SUN
Robert Rose, who filed the initial complaint on the iPolitix party,
said of Goodman's comments Friday, "I think he just got carried away.
Instead
of being humble in addressing the issue he just went overboard. You
have
to think before you speak sometimes, and I don't think he did."
University
of Nevada, Las Vegas, ethics professor Craig Walton said Goodman's
attack
on Jennings constituted bullying. "I'm ashamed for him. This is
terrible,"
Walton said. "This would be the best time for him to say if I did
anything
wrong I'll go up there and apologize and make it right. Instead, he
attacks
a person who is charged with this responsibility." "It's what you'd
expect
from a bully in a school yard." Walton also said that Goodman is trying
to squelch the charges before they can be addressed.
FULL
STORY
Until late last week, no evil deed went un-rewarded in the new Las
Vegas
These pictures tell it all. Follow the...$$$...trail
INSIDE VEGAS by Steve Miller
AmericanMafia.com
April 5, 2004
"I'm going to run the city the way I want to run the city." "I will
not let anyone tell me how to run the city." -- Las Vegas Mayor Oscar
Goodman,
April 2, 2004
FULL
STORY
Columnist Jon Ralston: Fall of the Goodman empire
Las Vegas SUN
Sunday, April 4, 2004
The combination of his emperor-sized ego and his previous suffusion
in mob culture will now become all too apparent. Goodman is the most
solipsistic
of elected officials, believing his popularity is a prophylactic
against
multiple crossings of ethical lines. And when caught, he reacts by
railing
against the messengers and passing the buck to underlings.
FULL
COMMENTARY
Saturday, April 03, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
ETHICS ISSUE: Mayor ready for fight
Goodman defends conduct; hearing scheduled for May 12
By SEAN WHALEY and ERIN NEFF
REVIEW-JOURNAL FRONT PAGE
Multiple violations also could lead to a District Court proceeding
to determine whether Goodman should be removed from office. Retired Las
Vegas auto mechanic and longtime ethics watchdog Bob Rose filed the
complaint
against Goodman on Feb. 3. "Whatever they do, I hope they do it
correctly,"
Rose said of ethics commissioners. "I don't wish him (Goodman) ill
will,
but he has violated the law. "I'll be glad when I get my say," he said.
FULL
STORY
MAYOR'S PRESS CONFERENCE
April 2, 2004
TRANSCRIPT
Mayor Oscar Goodman: Hi everybody. Today I'm going to announce my
candidacy
for Governor. Just kidding! Just kidding! I want to make it very very
clear
that as the Mayor of the City of Las Vegas, I'm going to run the city
the
way I want to run the city. I'm not going to have people tell me how
the
city's going to be run. If there was any ethical impropriety, it will
be
determined at a public hearing, not behind closed doors per proceeding
that I was not invited.
The allegations are old. Nothing's changed. I take the position that
as far as the I-Politix matter with my son Ross, I would do it again!
When it comes time that I'm being told by people that I can't help
my
son in an ethical manner, then that's time to speak out loud and clear
the way I am today.
The folks who were invited to that party, as I made clear time and
time
again, were Mayors from across the country. I had no dominion or
control
over them. I couldn't tell them to sit up, or step down. And as far as
I'm concerned that is the only point that is the subject of a
reasonable
inquiry. I have no problem with that and I'm ready to defend it. The
same
thing is true with the tapes. The tapes were city tapes. I made that
very
clear. I loaned them overnight and I would lend them to any one of you
that I know. I don't feel I did anything wrong as far as that is
concerned.
On the other allegations, these are unbelievable. I don't know
whether
they are politically motivated? I can't think of any other reason to
attribute
them to. As you all know I received an offer from the Bombay Saffire
folks
who Nevada Wine and Spirits, Larry Ruvo, that if I were to be the
spokesperson
for Bombay Saffire, that the Meadows School, a non profit 501-(c)-3,
would
be the recipient of funds for underprivileged children so they could
get
a good education, and the City of Las Vegas would get the
remainder
of money and be expended on taking care of our homeless situation here.
I received not one cent. I received not one cent on the issues that are
the subject of the I-Politix, on the Jane Magazine which is now the
subject
of some inquire here, I received not one cent. The City received the
money.
And when I'm being told by envious, jealous little people who are
motivated
as a result of journalists who are trying to make a name on my bones
that
I can't have "Martinis with the Mayor," and I can't have "Coffees with
the Mayor," where people come out and we help them and we take care of
their problems, then I'm going to change the way government is done in
this valley, because if there's anything wrong with that, I'm going to
keep on doing it and I'll have my face in their face as long as I'm the
Mayor of the City of Las Vegas! I'm happy to answer questions.
Reporter: (unintelligible)
Goodman: That is correct. And I was validated. I was validated on
that
because I am in compliance with the law because I believe in the law. I
believe in the law my whole life. I submitted a packet with all the
materials
that she asked for. And I said if they want to open up that packet,
let's
go through the proper process and have a hearing on whether a subpoena
should be issued for these. They chose not to do that. They returned
the
package to me unopened! Why would she do it? That will come out during
the hearing.
Reporter: (unintelligible)
Goodman: I believe that she has her own agenda. But she's telling me
I can't have "Coffees with the Mayor," and "Martinis with the Mayor?"
How
can I answer the question as to why she would do things? There's a
screw
loose!
Reporter: As to the journalists..
Goodman: That's right.
Reporter: …are you not going to name the journalists by name?
Goodman: Yes I will, I certainly will. If you read the report, if
you
read the report…
Reporter: Jon Ralston?
Goodman: What's my beef with it? The whole report appears to be
based
on newspaper articles. They sent the complaint back the first time when
Mr. Rose filed the complaint because it was based on newspaper
articles,
and now she's basing her whole report on newspaper articles! Can't have
it both ways! Anybody else?
Reporter: (unintelligible)
Goodman: Erin, Erin, (Erin Neff, Las Vegas Review Journal) you know
what the vote was you say, OK, it was one and one. There were two
Ethics
Commissioners. One said that he didn't believe that there was any
validity
to it. The other said he believed there was validity to it, so they go
forward with it. I'm looking forward to the hearing. I got no problem
with
the hearing. They better be ready for me though at the hearing!
Reporter: (unintelligible)
Goodman: I defend myself. I'm the best lawyer I know. Anybody else?
Reporter: (unintelligible)
Goodman: Yes. It can't come soon enough for me. May twelve. I'd like
them to move it up over the weekend as long as they don't interfere
with
my betting on the NCAA Semi Finals.
END OF TRANSCRIPT
Las Vegas mayor faces state ethics hearing
Reno Gazette-Journal
By BRENDAN RILEY
Associated Press Writer
April 2, 2004
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) -- Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman was ordered
to appear before the Nevada Ethics Commission to answer questions about
promoting his son's business at a cocktail party, his free use of a
luxury
car and a $100,000 contract to endorse a brand of gin.
A complaint issued Friday against Goodman alleged the mayor used his
position to "grant unwarranted privileges, preferences or exemptions"
by
acting as host for a cocktail party paid for by iPolitix, a company
headed
by his son, Ross, and Las Vegas City Councilman Michael Mack.
A combative Goodman responded angrily to the order, denying any
ethical
lapses and saying he was looking forward to defending himself.
"I'm going to keep on doing what I'm doing," he told a brief news
conference
in front of Las Vegas City Hall. "I want to make it very, very clear as
mayor of Las Vegas that I'm going to run the city the way I want."
"If there is any ethical impropriety it will be determined at a
public
hearing, not behind closed doors," he said. "I'll defend myself. I'm
the
best lawyer I know."
The cocktail party under scrutiny was held during a U.S. Conference
of Mayors meeting in January in Washington, D.C., and resulted in a
complaint
from Robert Rose, a frequent critic of public officials.
The complaint said Goodman allowed his mayoral title to be used on
the
party invitation, handed out the invitations, and promoted his son's
business
at the party to various officials - including other mayors and
Democratic
National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe. iPolitix uses software to
analyze voter reaction to issues.
Stacey Jennings, the Nevada Ethics Commission's executive secretary,
said a commission panel that reviewed the case found enough evidence
existed
"to support a finding of just and sufficient cause" for a hearing by
the
entire commission.
Panel members Bill Flangas and George Keele agreed to go forward
with
the iPolitix allegations but split on how to proceed with a review of
the
mayor's contract to promote Bombay Sapphire, his Cadillac car deal and
his involvement in a Jane magazine contest which includes Goodman
renaming
a city street for the winner.
When such splits occur, the issues automatically are forwarded to
the
full commission.
In all, eight counts of alleged ethics law violations were sent to
the
commission, which meets May 12 in Las Vegas.
Goodman hosts regular alcohol-filled meetings with residents called
"Martinis with the Mayor" in which Bombay Sapphire is the drink of
choice.
Goodman said he donates proceeds from the promotional contract to
charity.
The mayor, one of the highest-profile Democratic politicians in the
state, attributed the allegations to "envious little people motivated
as
a result of journalists trying to make a name on my bones."
"When I'm being told ... that I can't have martinis with the mayor
and
I can't have coffees with the mayor, where people come out and we help
them and we take care of their problems," Goodman said, "then, I'm
going
to change the way government is done in this valley."
Associated Press writer Ken Ritter in Las Vegas contributed to this
report.
Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Copyright Reno Gazette-Journal, a Gannett Co. Inc. Newspaper.
URL
Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman Stands Ground Against Ethics Complaint
KTNV TV
Channel 13 News
Posted: April 2, 2004
Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman has been hit with a Nevada Ethics
Commission
order for a hearing into promotion of his son's business at a cocktail
party, his free use of a luxury car and a 100-thousand-dollar contract
for a booze endorsement. A complaint against Goodman alleged he used
his
position to "grant unwarranted privileges, preferences or exemptions"
by
hosting a cocktail party paid for by iPolitix, a company headed by his
son Ross and Las Vegas Councilman Michael Mack.
Panel members Bill Flangas and George Keele both agreed to go
forward
with the iPolitix allegations. But they split on how to proceed with a
review of the mayor's Bombay Sapphire gin contract, the Cadillac car
deal
and his involvement in a Jane magazine contest which includes his
renaming
a city for the winner.
When such splits occur, the issues automatically are forwarded to
the
full commission.
A combative Goodman denied any ethical lapses and said he was
looking
forward to defending himself at the hearing.
The commission will hold a May 12th hearing in Las Vegas.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
© 2004 KTNV and Journal Broadcast Group
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Today: April 02, 2004 at 16:55:32 PST
Goodman to face ethics charges
LAS VEGAS SUN
Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman will face eight charges of state ethics
violations in front of the Ethics Commission next month, the commission
announced Friday.
FULL
STORY
KVBC TV Channel 3 News
April 2, 2004
Mayor Oscar Goodman will be forced to answer ethics charges in front
of the state ethics commission. The commission decided there was enough
evidence to hold a hearing on whether Goodman violated state ethics
laws
when he promoted a party in Washington D.C. The party pushed a new
product
created by Goodman's son. Some have accused the mayor of using his
position
to help further his son's business ventures. The commission will hear
the
case in May.
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Reserved.
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Las Vegas Mayor Faces Possible Ethics Violations
KLAS TV Channel 8 News
(April 2) -- Mayor Oscar Goodman is going to have to appear before
the state ethics panel to answer questions about possible ethics
violations.
The decision was released late Friday afternoon. The inquiry into
Goodman's
possible ethics violation all began with a cocktail party in Washington
D.C. A company owned by Goodman's son hosted the party in 2002. The
complaint
alleges that Mayor Goodman violated the law by using his position as
mayor
to give privileges to his son.
FULL
STORY
Today: March 26, 2004 at 9:43:46 PST
Mayor won't reveal answer to ethics charge
By Sito Negron
LAS VEGAS SUN
Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman is refusing to release copies of his
response to an ethics complaint filed against him for his role in a
party
meant to promote his son's and Councilman Michael Mack's business.
FULL
STORY
Saturday, March 20, 2004
EDITORIAL: Good dad, bad mayor
Favoritism can go only so far
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
Last week it was revealed that Ross, an attorney just like his father,
is now paid a $5,000 monthly retainer by a strip club. Even though the
mayor was highly critical of the stip club before his son's financial
"arrangement,"
now that the club owners are playing his son, he can't say anything
about
the club. Oscar Goodman is such a good dad.
FULL
EDITORIAL
March 19, 2004
Columnist Jon Ralston: No moral restraint at City Hall
WEEKEND EDITION
Over at Las Vegas City Hall, they don't revoke licenses for wrongdoing;
they accept what amounts to million-dollar bribes -- heck, they
actually
solicit them during meetings -- and they talk tough but act meekly when
confronted with an establishment that, coincidentally, has hired one of
their colleagues and the mayor's son.
FULL
STORY
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
Mayor has no regrets
Goodman admits loaning tapes to son for business venture
By MICHAEL SQUIRES
REVIEW-JOURNAL
Retired Las Vegas auto mechanic and longtime ethics watchdog Bob Rose
filed the complaint, alleging Goodman violated the state's code of
ethical
standards which, among other things, prohibits officials from using
their
"position in government to secure or grant unwarranted privileges,
preferences,
exemptions or advantages for ... any person to whom he has a commitment
in a private capacity to the interests of that person." UNLV ethics
professor
Craig Walton said the mayor's actions in loaning city property to
IPolitix
raises more questions.
FULL
STORY
Thursday, February 19, 2004
JANE ANN MORRISON: Some public servants avoid conflicts while others
choose to ignore them
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
In years gone by, attorneys who entered public life figured any
resulting
loss of billable hours to their law firms might be counterbalanced by
new
business generated by having a powerful official on the letterhead.
FULL
COLUMN
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
Watchdog files ethics complaint against mayor
Goodman accused of using name, position to influence attendance at
party, benefiting son
By MICHAEL SQUIRES
REVIEW-JOURNAL
Mayor Oscar Goodman received notice Tuesday of an ethics complaint
filed against him, giving him 10 days to respond to allegations he
violated
the state's ethical standards when he promoted a cocktail party
benefiting
his son's business venture last month.
FULL
STORY
Saturday, January 31, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
ETHICS VS. ENDORSEMENT: Mayor's promotion of venture criticized
Goodman pitches son's business to other mayors, officials
By MICHAEL SQUIRES
REVIEW-JOURNAL
Unethical, or just tacky?
FULL
STORY
Las Vegas SUN
January 30, 2004
Columnist Jon Ralston: Mayor can't help son this way
WEEKEND EDITION
"If anybody tells me I can't help my son, who I love, they can drop
dead."-- Mayor Oscar Goodman, 1/28/04
FULL
COLUMN
January 30, 2004
Goodman says he didn't break law
By Sito Negron
LAS VEGAS SUN
Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said today that he doesn't believe he
violated state law by allowing his city title to be on invitations he
distributed
for a party he hosted for his son's business during the U.S. Conference
of Mayors meeting.
FULL
STORY
January 29, 2004
Goodman defends touting son's firm at conference
By Sito Negron
LAS VEGAS SUN
Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman insisted Wednesday that he did nothing
wrong when he gave his colleagues at the National Conference of Mayors
meeting in Washington, D.C., invitations to a mixer sponsored by his
son's
business. "If anybody tells me I can't help my son, who I love, they
can
drop dead," Goodman said.
FULL
STORY
Juice - Vegas Style
INSIDE VEGAS by Steve Miller
AmericanMafia.com
August 25, 2003
"You're a shyster
lawyer; a two faced phony shyster lawyer. Why don't you kiss him on the
ass?"-- Peter "Chris" Christoff
The comments came moments after Goodman cut off Christoff's protest
of the city gifting attorney John Moran a public alleyway behind his
office
building in downtown Vegas, a building located directly next to the law
office of Goodman's former law partners and sons.
FULL
COLUMN
One year before his ethics
problems,
Goodman paid a mysterious visit to
Steve Miller's residence to say
he will not schedule a license revocation
action against a trouble
plagued business that employs a number of his
former clients.
(AmericanMafia.com photo by Mike
Christ)
Mayor objects to lap-dancing rules
Goodman would welcome (teenage) strippers defecting from county to
city clubs
By Diana Sahagun
LAS VEGAS SUN
August 02, 2002
"We're an adult community, an adult playland," Goodman said. "Let's
not pretend to be something we're not. I think anything that's legal
should
be here." "There's no prostitution taking place (at the city clubs)
according
to" Metro Police, Goodman said. "And if there was, they should arrest
them,
not make some big fuss as to what some 18-year-old girl is doing to
make
living."
FULL
STORY
By JAN MOLLER REVIEW-JOURNAL
December
1, 2002
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
City ethics code faces abolishment
On Wednesday, the council will vote on a bill sponsored by Mayor Oscar
Goodman to abolish the city's ethics code except
provisions that deal with lobbying and political activities of public
officials... Former Councilman Steve Miller,
who
authored the original 1991 ethics code after a scandal involving
Mayor
Ron Lurie's land holdings, said his original intent was simply to force increased
disclosure by public officials.
FULL STORY
E-mail Steve
Copyright © Steve Miller