Goodman pal registers as lobbyist

Erin Neff

Friday, Aug. 13, 1999 | 11:24 a.m.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman's friend and top adviser registered as a lobbyist of city officials Thursday.

Although Tom Letizia is not on Goodman's paid city staff, as an unpaid outside consultant, he handles Goodman's media contacts and attends many meetings with the mayor. He also is a member of the ad hoc committee studying the feasibility of an arena and performing arts center.

In his new role, Letizia will lobby City Council members and city staff on certain issues that come before them.

He said he will not "lobby" Goodman on those issues, even though he remains the mayor's closest adviser.

Goodman said he told Letizia that when he was going to be representing a particular interest, he did not want Letizia to lobby him.

"That is our gentleman's agreement," Goodman said today.

City Manager Virginia Valentine told Letizia to register with the city as a lobbyist after he lobbied city staff on behalf of Las Vegas Sportspark, which is co-owned by former Clark County Commissioner Don Schlesinger.

The sports complex, which opened late this past Spring in Summerlin, could come before the council soon due to a dispute over a sewer line.

Letizia's company, Letizia Communications Consulting, received nearly $500,000 in business from Goodman's campaign for radio, television and print media ads and for consulting services.