Goodman’s campaign donations top $750,000

Erin Neff

Monday, Jan. 20, 2003 | 10:57 a.m.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman collected just under $500,000 for his re-election bid last year, led by big donations from gamers, strip club owners and others who have business with the city.

Last week Goodman filed a report -- required when campaign contributions topped $10,000 -- that shows he raised $482,335 and spent $56,986 in 2002. He has subsequently held more fund-raisers and has a campaign war chest in excess of $750,000.

The popular Democrat is seeking his second-term this spring, with no apparent opposition to date. Goodman has said he will either "go to Cabo" or "give to charity" any leftover funds.

Goodman's financial report is a veritable who's who of local politics with some atypical donors like poker player Doyle Brunson and 40 average Joes who handed over less than $100.

The mayor's fondness for martinis is reflected in a $5,000 donation from Larry Ruvo of Southern Wine and Spirits and $2,000 from Lee's Discount Liquor.

By law, individuals or businesses can donate a maximum of $5,000 for the primary election and $5,000 for the general election. Several donors have already topped out on their giving.

Goodman got $10,000 each from Boyd Gaming Corp., gambler Brunson, local attorney and hotel owner Robert Cohen, D Texas Investments Inc. out of Houston and Expedia.com co-founder Timothy Poster, a member of the Station Casinos board. Ricbar, a company headed by Crazy Horse Too owner Rick Rizzolo, also gave $10,000.

Car dealer John Staluppi Jr., who was at the center of a campaign loan ethics controversy in 2001 involving Councilman Michael Mack, also gave Goodman $10,000.

Staluppi was originally denied a request to build a Nissan dealership, only to see his rival dealer Joseph Scala win approval to build a Hyundai dealership.

After the vote it was learned Scala had loaned Mack $60,000. Staluppi's associates filed ethics complaints and a lawsuit against Mack, the latter of which was dropped when the city planning commission, and ultimately the council, approved the Nissan dealership at a different location.

Goodman received a host of donations from other gaming companies, most of whom do business in the city.

Station Casinos founder Frank Fertitta gave $5,000 and Station Casinos gave another $5,000.

Hotels and casinos on Fremont Street kicked in as well. La Bayou casino, Mermaids casino and the Plaza each contributed $5,000 while Fitzgerald's ponied up $500.

Additional gaming money on the list included former Showboat owner Nancy Houssels' $500, International Game Technologies' $1,000 and the Klondike Casino's $2,000 contribution.

Palms owner George Maloof gave Goodman $250, the Palms gave $2,000 and ghostbar hosted a fund-raiser that was listed as a $10,000 in-kind donation.

Mandalay Resort Group executive Mike Sloan gave $1,000. Stratosphere founder Bob Stupak gave $6,000 and his son Nevada Stupak gave $1,500. Terrible Herbst Corp. gave $5,000 and the Tuscany hotel-casino gave $5,000.

Goodman got $5,000 from Pete Eliades, the owner of the Olympic Garden strip club, and $5,000 from Jaguars owner Mike Galard. In addition to the $10,000 from Rizzolo's company, Goodman also got $5,000 from Rizzolo's father, Bart Rizzolo.

In addition to Staluppi, the mayor received several other donations from car dealers, including $500 from Bill Heard Chevrolet, $3,000 from dealerships in the Desert Auto Group and $5,000 from the Towbin Superstore.

He received money from notable Democrats, including $1,000 from former U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan and $250 from Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus' political action committee.

Unions, which typically provide manpower and muscle for Democratic campaigns, also chipped in with cash. The Culinary union gave $2,000. The International Alliance of Theatrical and State Employees, and Electricians' Defense Fund gave $500, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers gave $1,000 and Nevada Carpenters gave $5,000.

Some donations have ties to Goodman's downtown revitalization efforts, including $5,000 from Chelsea Property Group, which is building an outlet mall adjacent to the city-owned 61 acres downtown.

Goodman got $1,000 from the Las Vegas 51s, the minor league baseball team; $2,500 from Hawaii-based ABC Stores, which has a location on Fremont Street; and $150 from Donald Kemp, president of the Las Vegas Performing Arts Center group.

Vestin Mortgage Group, whose executive ran a shadow campaign for unsuccessful Democratic attorney general candidate John Hunt last fall, donated $500 to the mayor.

His Scotch 80s neighbors donated are listed alongside pawn shops and numerous local attorneys.

Golf course developer Billy Walters hosted a fund-raiser that is on the list as an in-kind donation of $10,000. A Nov. 20 fund-raiser included in-kind donations of $1,250 from Diane Snyder, $1,250 from Jerome Snyder and $4,253 from Sprint.

The bulk of the campaign money spent by Goodman, $10,000, went to Wolfgang Puck Catering for a fund-raiser at Cili at Bali Hai Golf Course last May. Goodman also spent $3,667 at ghostbar for items related to a fund-raiser.

His campaign team at Paladin Advertising got more than $10,000 last year. Goodman lists office expenses related to a cell phone, printing and mailing services and $520 to the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys in Washington.