Ex-Goodman aide charged in arson

Tuesday, March 11, 2003 | 9:46 a.m.

A former aide to Mayor Oscar Goodman has been charged with setting fire to his wife's massage studio in the Sahara Pavilion shopping center.

A criminal complaint issued by the Clark County District Attorney's office charges William Laurence Cassidy, 53, with first-degree arson and burglary in a Feb. 22 blaze at Silk Road Accu Pressure, 2100 S. Decatur Blvd.

A warrant has been issued for Cassidy's arrest.

Police allege Cassidy, a former top City Hall aide and political operative for Goodman, had been arguing with Xao Ping Cassidy on Feb. 19 when the woman fled from the couple's home to the studio.

Police claim Cassidy set fire to his wife's personal property three days later out of spite. The items had been "piled and arranged on the floor in the middle of the studio and maliciously burned," the complaint alleges.

Cassidy's lawyer Marty Keach was not available for comment this morning.

Las Vegas Fire and Rescue officials ruled the fire arson following an investigation. The blaze gutted one room of the building and caused $100,000 worth of smoke and heat damage, fire officials said.

Cassidy's recent charges mark the latest in several run-ins with the law since 2000.

He was convicted on a domestic violence charge in December 2001, after which he was fined and placed on probation.

He was also investigated by the Nevada Private Investigators Licensing Board for working without a license while serving as a defense investigator in the Ted Binion murder case.

Cassidy had taken a leave of absence from his city job to assist the defense.