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The Implosion of Oscar Goodman
INSIDE VEGAS by Steve Miller
AmericanMafia.com
May 3, 2004

In May 2003, a reputed mob soldier who is listed in Nevada's Black Book of persons excluded from entering Nevada casinos was hosted by Mayor Oscar Goodman at Las Vegas City Hall.

Goodman since being elected mayor has raised eyebrows by hosting another member of the notorious Black Book at his personal residence, but May 2003 was the first time such an event has reportedly happened at city hall -- though it may have occurred at other times without being reported in the media.

The Las Vegas Review Journal wrote: "Charles 'The Moose' Panarella, reportedly a member of the Colombo crime family convicted nine years ago in a drug money laundering scam involving the Maxim casino, was seeking the mayor's assistance in finding a Las Vegas job for his son."

"Goodman became angry when pressed for details of the meeting and its aftermath. He refused to answer several questions he considered inappropriate," stated Review Journal reporter J.M. Kalil in his article.

Panarella

When asked whether Panarella was a personal friend or only a client, Goodman declined to answer. Goodman was a well known criminal defense attorney before becoming mayor of Sin City in 1999, and his two sons are now following his his footsteps in his old office with his former law partners.

"I'm going to bar you from City Hall if you keep asking questions like that," Goodman told the reporter. "I'll bar you from City Hall!"

The Review Journal story continued: "After threatening to hang up the phone during the interview because of his distaste for the questions, Goodman also threatened not to speak to the reporter for the next four years if the line of questioning concerning his relationship with Panarella continued."

This was the beginning of a rocky road for the man who often refers to himself as the "Happiest mayor in the world." A road previously paved with Teflon, now strewn with thorns of Goodman's own making. A man who promised to sever his mob ties upon being elected has done nothing of the kind, and a city desparately seeking credibility is suffering by his actions.

"The happiest mayor in the world" Goodman after accusation of ethics violations

Now, because of the action of one vigilant citizen, "The happiest mayor in the world" is suddenly the subject of a hard-hitting ethics complaint and in-depth investigation by the Nevada Attorney General's office.

Robert Rose, the man who questioned the mayor's ethics, in front of City Hall
(AmericanMafia.com photo by Steve Miller)

"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!" -- Oscar Goodman

"If anybody tells me I can't help my son, who I love, they can drop dead," Goodman said.

"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." "I will not let anyone tell me how to run the city."-- Oscar Goodman

"I'll defend myself. I'm the best lawyer I know."

"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!"

Goodman's bizarre reaction to the complaint inspired numerous questions about his ability to serve as mayor of the fastest growing city in the United States. He has for the first time exposed his true character and loyalties. He has also alienated many members of the Las Vegas press by refusing to answer questions about his ongoing ties to members of organized crime, and his claim that newspaper reports are not credible sources of information to be used as evidence in ethics complaints.

He has also caused concern that he is about to have a nervous breakdown.

The once most popular mayor in the history of Las Vegas has become a laughing stock. Even in a city as brazen as Las Vegas, no politician has ever been able to overcome the ravishes of so much negative press as Oscar Goodman has recently self-created. Here are some examples:

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

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

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."

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.

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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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

THE BEGINNING OF THE END

Steve Miller was the author and sponsor of the original City of Las Vegas Ethics in Government Law.

* If you would like to receive Steve's frequent E-Briefs about Las Vegas' scandals, click here: Steve Miller's Las Vegas E-Briefs

email Steve Miller at: Stevemiller4lv@aol.com