Mayor apologizes for Utah remark

Diana Sahagun

Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2001 | 9:15 a.m.

Mayor Oscar Goodman on Tuesday apologized to Salt Lake City residents for his remark that officials preparing for the 2002 Winter Olympics may have sent as many as 1,000 homeless people to Las Vegas.

Goodman had asked Metro Police to begin investigating allegations -- which Goodman said he received from a "reliable police source"-- that Salt Lake City officials were giving members of its homeless population one way bus tokens to Las Vegas.

Salt Lake City officials, in refuting Goodman's statements, said the city was setting up additional shelters for homeless people.

Goodman on Monday said his actions were taken out of context. He said he was only asking Metro to investigate the allegations.

"I asked them to check out an allegation, and it turns out everybody assumes (homeless people) were shipped here, and it starts a war with Salt Lake City when there is no need for that," Goodman said.

In the apology, released Tuesday, Goodman said that "no credible information has been brought to my attention to substantiate" the allegations.

"As a result, I would like to apologize for any misunderstanding my comments have generated and wish them well in addressing the most difficult of issues. I wish the city the best of success in the upcoming Winter Olympics and hope that I will be able to enjoy the festivities with Americans and all of the world," Goodman wrote.