Lobbyist questions mayor’s judgment

Judy Odierna

Tuesday, April 1, 2003 | 11:02 a.m.

The gaming industry's top lobbyist says Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman's friendship with a person in the state's Black Book is making protection of Nevada's primary industry more difficult in the nation's capital.

Convicted mob associate Joseph Vincent Cusumano's presence at an engagement party for Goodman's daughter in February was "offensive" and "hurts the image of Las Vegas," said Frank Fahrenkopf, president of the American Gaming Association and its chief lobbyist in Washington.

Cusumano has been on the Nevada Gaming Commission's List of Excluded Persons since 1990. People in the Black Book are barred from entering Nevada casinos. Cusumano was Goodman's invited guest at the party, however.

"(Goodman) is an old friend and I've known him for 40 years, but it was not a good move," Fahrenkopf said. "He has to make his own judgment, but my job here is to represent an industry that is very misunderstood."

Last week Gaming Control Board member Bobby Siller also criticized Cusumano's attendance at Goodman's party, saying Goodman needed to be more responsible in his role as mayor.

Siller did not return calls on Monday.

Goodman defended Cusumano's presence at his party.

"I didn't walk into a casino with Joey Cusumano," Goodman said through a spokeswoman. "He was a guest in my home and what I do in my home is nobody's business."

Cusumano, once a top lieutenant of slain mob kingpin Anthony Spilotro, was convicted in 1987 of conspiracy, interstate travel in aid of racketeering and aiding and abetting. Goodman defended Cusumano and Spilotro during his days as a criminal attorney.

Fahrenkopf said disproving the popular notion that the mob still runs Las Vegas is a daily challenge in Washington, and the Goodman invite makes it more difficult.

"People in D.C. believe the Mafia is still involved in the industry," he said. "I was out at a cocktail party the other night with a lot of politicians and someone mentioned (the Goodman and Cusumano relationship).

"It's a small thing that seems innocent, but these things get blown up from a national media standpoint. It makes my job harder when people believe old stereotypes."

Rob Powers, spokesman for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said it wouldn't be appropriate to comment.

Local historians and gaming experts, however, say while it may not help the image of Las Vegas, it doesn't hurt it as much as some people may say.

"If we're worried about our image, let's get the people off the streets that are passing out the prostitute leaflets," said Bill Thompson, a professor of public administration and a gaming expert at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Michael Green, professor of history at the Community College of Southern Nevada, said the public knew of Goodman's past before he was elected in 1999.

"Goodman made it very clear as an attorney that he saw the Black Book and similar efforts as unconstitutional," Green said. "He did not violate any laws and was consistent with his previous position.

"In a funny sort of way Goodman can get away with what no other politician in Nevada can because he was representing these guys for 35 years and had a very public association with Cusumano and others whose reputations have been questioned."

Thompson said Goodman's determination to stick by Cusumano may be seen as some as verification of Goodman's integrity.

"He stood by a family friend, which also speaks to a quality called loyalty," he said, "and that's not all that bad to have in our leaders."