Strategist’s offer scrutinized

Erin Neff

Wednesday, June 9, 1999 | 11:42 a.m.

One face was surprisingly missing from Oscar Goodman's outdoor party downtown Tuesday night to celebrate his resounding victory over City Councilman Arnie Adamsen in the race to become mayor of Las Vegas.

For weeks Mark Fierro had been Goodman's right-hand man, orchestrating the candidate's television ad campaign and dealing with the media.

But suddenly Fierro was missing -- ostracized from the campaign for making a weekend offer on the golf course to developer Mark Fine apparently in hopes of parlaying his success working on the Goodman campaign into a financial windfall.

Fine, who finished third in the mayoral primary, confirmed Tuesday that Fierro offered to help him win the appointment to Adamsen's vacated council seat in exchange for $10,000 up front and an additional $150,000 when Fine secured the position.

"I didn't take it too seriously," Fine said.

Fierro did not return calls seeking comment this morning.

However, in a statement to KLAS-TV Channel 8 news, Fierro said: "I was simply trying to find my next public relations campaign. If my comments were misunderstood, I'm sorry for that, but there was nothing but a simple public relations campaign discussed in our meeting.

"We never discussed talking to Oscar," the statement read. "We discussed talking to voters."

It is unknown just how "talking to voters" would influence three council members to make an appointment to the open seat.

If Fierro made the offer, he probably would not be in violation of state law, a spokesman for the State Attorney General's office said.

Steve George, executive assistant to state Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa, said Fierro's offer would not be considered a crime on the surface because he simply is asking for money to do political consulting work.

"It's not like he's getting paid $1 million," George said. "He's a political consultant, and they get paid for their work."

Tom Letizia, who with Fierro and Jim Ferrence formed Goodman's main campaign team, said Fierro didn't want the story to detract from Goodman's victory and chose to stay away from the party.

"He has said that he was just thinking ahead to his next job," Letizia said. "That's the nature of political consulting."

Goodman said he had no knowledge of the offer until Fine told him.

"I was livid when I found out," Goodman said this morning.

The story, which buzzed through campaign parties citywide last night, left many shocked.

"I can't believe it," said Michael McDonald at fellow City Councilman Gary Reese's campaign party. "That's just way out there."

Adamsen said he wanted to reserve judgment and comment until he learns more about it. A number of names have surfaced for the Ward 2 seat he is about to vacate.

Former assistant city manager Lynette Boggs McDonald -- considered the likely appointee -- was with Reese, Michael McDonald and Councilman Larry Brown on Tuesday night.

"It's really something," Boggs McDonald said Tuesday.

Brown said Tuesday he will continue to listen to all of the people who have expressed interest in the job.

Steve Stallworth, associate director of the Thomas & Mack Center, Planning Commissioner Michael Mack and Mark Solomon, who serves on the Board of Zoning Adjustment have all expressed interest in the job.

Fine said he is not actively pursuing an appointment, but he would be happy to serve.

"I was making myself available as a public servant when I ran for mayor," Fine said. "People said if you do that, you should make yourself available for other service."

"It's not like he's getting paid $1 million. He's a political consultant, and they get paid for their work."Steve George,ON OFFER MADE BY MARK FIERRO