Lawyer blasts arrest of Black Book nominee

John Wilen

Thursday, March 18, 1999 | 11:21 a.m.

Fred Pascente's Las Vegas lawyer is angry the former Chicago police officer was arrested at McCarran International Airport Monday, and said Pascente intends to fight his inclusion in the Nevada list of people excluded from casinos, otherwise known as the Black Book.

Pascente, an ex-felon, was arrested by Metro Police Monday for failing to register with authorities within 48 hours of his arrival in Las Vegas. Pascente had been in Las Vegas since Friday.

Pascente's local attorney, John Momot, said Pascente was in town to meet with him about the state Gaming Control Board's attempts to add him to the Black Book.

"He came in to talk to me about it," Momot said.

Nevada law requires ex-felons to register with a city's local police within 48 hours of arriving in town. Pascente wasn't aware he was required to register, Momot said.

"There are only very few states ... that require you to register," the attorney said.

He said Pascente's arrest at the airport Monday was an attempt by authorities to grab media attention. However, local media did not report the story until Wednesday.

Momot also said Pascente will fight inclusion in the Black Book. In November, the state Gaming Control Board nominated Pascente for the Black Book citing a past felony conviction and his reputed association with the Chicago mob. Momot refuted both charges.

Pascente has paid for his past, serving 22 months in prison, Momot said.

"It has nothing to do with Las Vegas," he said. "It has nothing to do with gaming."

Momot also denied Pascente is a member or associate of the mob.

Momot will file a response to the Control Board's charges against Pascente "within 10 days," he said.