Mayor unhappy with New Yorker article

Erin Neff

Tuesday, Aug. 10, 1999 | 11:06 a.m.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman is discrediting a new profile of him in the New Yorker magazine as half-truths and vows to be "more careful" when talking to reporters.

Reporter Connie Bruck's article, published in the Aug. 16 edition of the literary magazine, hit newsstands Monday and caused an immediate recoil on the 10th floor of City Hall.

In the article, Goodman is quoted as saying he compiled an "enemy's list" of those who hurt him on his campaign and says he revels in the mayor's job the same way mobster and former client Nicodemo "Little Nicky" Scarfo did "when he was pouring .22s into someone's head.

"This guy testified that as Scarfo did it he said, 'I love it! I love it!' " the article ends.

But Goodman said today that Bruck misunderstood his intent and exaggerated parts of his persona to make a good profile. He does not deny making any of the statements in the nine-page article.

"I learned there are certain people you can bring into your inner sanctum, and they know you, and understand when you're joking," Goodman said. "I also learned I have to be more careful."

Goodman points to two parts of the article he considers "unfair."

In one Goodman describes when mayoral front-runner Jay Bingham -- a former County Commission chairman -- withdrew from the race.

The article quotes Goodman: "I filed, and he dropped out -- he said his doctor said it would be 'too stressful.' " Bruck ends that statement writing, "Goodman said, with heavy sarcasm."

Goodman said he made those statements matter-of-factly and was not trying to suggest Bingham withdrew from the race for the reason an unnamed source tells Bruck -- "he believed the myth -- that Oscar's mob soldiers would come after his family."

"He's a friend of mine," Goodman said today. "Bingham is supportive of me. I got a lot of Mormon votes because he supported me."

As to the "enemy's list," Goodman said that also was taken out of context.

"There were certain people who were very cruel to me on the campaign," Goodman said. "Now, do I keep a list in my drawer? A hit list? No."

The article says Goodman has three enemies: Sherman Frederick, publisher of the Review-Journal; Mark Brown, a former vice president with Howard Hughes Corp.; and Terry Lanni, chairman and chief executive of MGM Grand.

Goodman said all three hurt him on the campaign.

Frederick launched editorial missives "meant to detract from me," Goodman said, including an editorial four days after Goodman announced his candidacy titled "Anybody, but Oscar."

Goodman said Brown told about 300 people gathered at a civic group's meeting that Goodman "would set Las Vegas back 100 years."

Lanni was quoted in a national news article saying Goodman was too emblematic of the "old" Las Vegas.

"When they call up, I'm not going to drop what I'm doing to take their call," Goodman said. "I'm not going to have somebody go out and break their legs or have them whacked.

"There I go again," Goodman said. "You write that and people are going to misunderstand it."