Local news briefs for June 13, 2000

Tuesday, June 13, 2000 | 11:30 a.m.

Man pleads guilty to conspiracy

A third suspect caught up in the federal investigation of a murdered mob boss pleaded guilty Monday in U.S. District Court.

Anthony Vito, 41, was sentenced to three years probation after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle. Federal prosecutors dropped two similar charges against Vito in exchange for his guilty plea.

Vito and five others were indicted in September after an insurance fraud scheme was uncovered during an investigation into the 1997 death of mobster Herbie Blitzstein. The Las Vegas crime leader was killed by those wanting to take over his loan shark business.

Two men were sentenced last month in connection with the insurance fraud, in which federal prosecutors allege a group conspired to file false reports of stolen automobiles and then sell the vehicles.

Two men were convicted in connection with Blitzstein's death and a third died while awaiting trial.

Portions of road to close for work

White River Drive will be temporarily closed at its intersection with Durango Drive through June 23 as Clark County Public Works crews finish work on a storm-drain collector project.

Traffic will also be restricted to one lane through the intersection of Durango and Flamingo Road through June 23 because of the work.

The traffic will be reduced to one lane on Sunset Road between Las Vegas Boulevard and Eastern Avenue through Friday, as crews replace road reflectors. The work will be done between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Man shot to death is identified

A 25-year-old Las Vegas man who died after suffering several gunshot wounds early Monday has been identified as Daniel Lee Barrett.

Witnesses told police that Barrett was standing in from of a building on Jackson Avenue near F Street just before 1 a.m. Monday when a man approached and shot him.

Police believe the shooting was the result of an on-going dispute between the two men.

STOP DUI mad at MADD

STOP DUI, a Nevada nonprofit organization that assists victims of drunken drivers, is mad at Mothers Against Drunk Driving or MADD.

STOP DUI spokeswoman Sandy Heverly says that MADD is telemarketing in Clark County using the names STOP DUI and SADD -- Students Against Destructive Decisions -- to promote contributions.

"When they call up and people say they support STOP DUI or SADD, the operator tells them MADD is the parent company of STOP DUI and SADD," Heverly said. "The fact is that we are not connected with them, and there hasn't been a MADD chapter in Clark County for over six years."

STOP DUI does not telemarket, and has filed a complaint with the Nevada attorney general's office.

STOP DUI does not disagree with MADD's message about drunken driving, but without a local chapter, there is no guarantee that any donations will be used to fight drunken driving here, Heverly said.

STOP DUI will also seek an injunction against MADD, Heverly said.

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