Editorial: Image not everything for mayor

Friday, April 4, 2003 | 9:07 a.m.

In June 1990 the state of Nevada listed Joseph Vincent Cusumano in its infamous Black Book, permanently banning the convicted felon with alleged ties to organized crime from every casino in the state. In February 2003 Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman welcomed Cusumano into his home to enjoy a family celebration. "He was a guest in my home and what I do in my home is nobody's business," Goodman said.

Not everyone shares that opinion. Frank Fahrenkopf, president of the American Gaming Association and the industry's chief lobbyist, said Goodman's poor judgment has made his work in Washington more difficult. "People in D.C. believe the Mafia is still involved in the industry," Fahrenkopf told Sun reporter Judy Odierna. "It makes my job harder when people believe old stereotypes."

Cusumano was an associate of the late Tony "The Ant" Spilotro, a Chicago mob leader who operated in Las Vegas from the early 1970s until he was murdered in 1986. In his heyday as an attorney for organized crime figures, Goodman represented both Spilotro and Cusumano. Fair enough. Those accused of even the most notorious crimes have the right to be represented by the best attorneys who will agree to take their cases. And Goodman was an excellent defense attorney, very much in demand by organized crime figures.

But today, as mayor, Goodman is representing the city of Las Vegas. It does grave harm to the city's reputation when its mayor, particularly one whose re-election is an almost certainty, socializes with Black Book figures and boasts about it. Asked to explain himself, Goodman refused to acknowledge an error in judgment. Worse, he said if Spilotro were still alive, he too would have been invited. Goodman obviously doesn't care how the people he invites into his home affect his own reputation. But he should care about the reputation of Las Vegas.