Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Mack back in action after rest

Las Vegas City Councilman Michael Mack's whereabouts were kept so secret that, for two weeks, even his constituents were left guessing.

The rumor mill was producing at full capacity.

On Saturday, during a ground-breaking ceremony for a new park in northwest Las Vegas, Mack made his first public appearance since his unexplained absence. He blamed his elusive behavior on a bad case of stress, which caused him to seek medical attention in Arizona.

After being served a lawsuit that seeks his removal from office, and in the wake of an ethics complaint relating to his vote to deny a car dealership proposed by businessman John Staluppi Jr., on July 2 Mack left town.

Mack said he had gone to Arizona to see a doctor, who gave the councilman a clean bill of health and told him to rest. Mack relaxed in Arizona, although word on his condition was never released publicly.

Then came the rumors, and no one was available to refute the claims, which included talk that Mack was involved in a car accident, was being treated for a gambling addiction, and was suffering a nervous breakdown.

Mack said he "just wanted to keep it private," in trying to explain his silence.

"It was my own medical care, and I didn't want to worry anyone," Mack said.

Mack said his staff knew of his whereabouts at all times, and that he was in constant contact via cell phone.

Mack called rumors that he was being treated for a gambling addiction "ludicrous" and absolute lies. Financial disclosure forms show Mack owes 12 individuals or banks at least $5,000 apiece, but he said he is in good shape financially.

Mack shut down one of his downtown boutiques recently when he found the right buyer, and he closed another of his pawn shops to provide more time for his council duties, he said. Mack still owns First Class Pawn & Jewelry Superstore on Flamingo Road.

For a newcomer such as Mack, allegations lodged against him after he failed to disclose a $60,000 loan from a rival car dealer could mean the end of a political career.

But his admitted inexperience in trying to juggle three jobs -- a father of two young boys, a councilman and a pawn shop owner -- has gained Mack a sympathetic ear from those in the community who say he's still trying to navigate through the world of politics.

"I was in la la land, the honeymoon period," Mack said of the past few months. "I was a new public official, I had just won a big election ... and I think this was all a big reality check for me."

Former Clark County Commissioner Lance Malone was in a similar situation last year as he tried to explain a controversial vote to approve a neighborhood casino. But, prior to the November election Malone admitted that he had made some "freshman mistakes." Still, the apology rang hollow with voters, who elected Chip Maxfield instead.

During the ground-breaking ceremony Saturday Mack received the support of more than 50 northwest residents. Several residents told the Sun that Mack should be given credit for admitting that he accepted the loan.

Mack said the controversy has done little to advance his political career. He said he would rebound nevertheless.

Expect to see his name on the ballot when his four-year term ends in 2005, he told voters.

"I really worked my tail off these last few months, working 50 to 60 hours a week as a councilman," Mack said. "My time management was really poor. Now, I'm definitely going to manage the oversight of my business. I'm going to sign every single check that comes in."

Mack said he put his responsibilities as a pawn shop owner aside when he made his first bid for the Ward 6 seat this year. Mack had held the seat since January 2000, although he was appointed, and not elected, after a new ward was created.

When a routine site plan review for a Nissan car dealership proposed by Staluppi came before the City Council June 6, Mack voted to deny the business, saying it was incompatible with the plan for Town Center. Mack changed his mind from a pledge he made to Staluppi months before, when he had told Staluppi the car dealership on Rancho Drive would be approved without problem.

But just days after the vote, when Mack realized a loan of $60,000 from rival car dealer Joseph Scala was still outstanding, he called City Attorney Brad Jerbic. Mack, who had diverted his attention from the pawn shop, said he thought he had paid the loan during his election campaign.

But the pressure mounted as Mack was accused of changing his mind about the dealership because of Scala.

The breaking point came July 2, when Mack learned of a lawsuit filed against him and fellow councilman Larry Brown that seeks their removal from office on a charge of malfeasance.

"All the hype stressed me to the point I was feeling like my heart was pounding out of my chest," Mack said.

Mack called his personal physician, whom he sees for a biannual physical at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz. The doctor was out of town, although he recommended the councilman come in anyway. Mack traveled to the clinic with his mother, blaming his symptoms on some sort of anxiety attack.

Mack wouldn't detail the circumstances -- a tangle of allegations of unethical conduct -- which led him to the doctor. He referred reporters' questions to his new attorney, Richard Wright.

Attorney Anthony Sgro, who is representing Staluppi, has hired a private investigator to look into Mack's background. What's more, Mack must endure two ethics hearings and a lawsuit relating to his vote to deny the dealership. Metro Police investigators also are reviewing all of the council's financial disclosure statements as a result of the allegations made against Mack and Brown.

Mack said now that he has had time to rest he can effectively deal with the stress he is sure to experience in the coming weeks.

"Now it's all left to the legal people," he said. "These vicious rumors will go away, and I don't feel like I need to worry about a thing."

Wright, a well-known criminal defense lawyer, often represents city officials as clients in cases involving issues of ethics. Wright effectively litigated a similar malfeasance charge made against City Councilman Michael McDonald.

In McDonald's case Wright argued that the malfeasance charge filed against the councilman does not apply to public officials. Wright also argued a statute, which allows officials to be removed from office through a recall petition, already exists.

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