Columnist Jeff German: Mayor’s past haunts LV’s future

Tuesday, March 18, 2003 | 11:10 a.m.

When Oscar Goodman was elected four years ago, there was a fear that he wouldn't be able to separate his career as a former mob lawyer from his duties as mayor.

Goodman's acknowledgement that Joseph Cusumano -- a reputed mob associate listed in Nevada's Black Book of undesirables banned from casinos -- attended a party at his home last month is an indication that those fears were well-grounded.

And it's helping revive the perception that this is a city that tolerates organized crime.

Goodman once represented Cusumano, an alleged lieutenant of the late Anthony Spilotro, the Chicago mob's overseer in Las Vegas in the 1970s and 1980s.

Cusumano has been associated over the years with Crazy Horse Too owner Rick Rizzolo, another former Goodman client whose topless club is being investigated by the FBI for suspected hidden mob ownership.

Now Cusumano's association with Goodman is making light of the state's efforts to keep organized crime out of the casino industry.

Here's the problem.

The state considers Cusumano a threat to the gaming industry and won't let him set foot in any casino. Yet he's welcomed with open arms at the home of the mayor of Las Vegas, the city's No. 1 ambassador.

What's wrong with that scenario?

Goodman's supporters are quick to defend him.

"It's refreshing to see a politician with guts," said Fred Doumani, who is close to both Goodman and Cusumano. Doumani once was an FBI target stemming from his days as landlord of the mob-infested Tropicana in the 1970s.

But with only token opposition in his re-election bid this year, how much guts does it take for Goodman to rub elbows with Cusumano?

With Cusumano's reputation, maybe it takes more guts not to invite him.

"The reason people admire Oscar is because he's true to himself," said David Chesnoff, the mayor's law partner.

But is Goodman being true to the city? Does he even care that he's hurting the city's image?

People who attended the party said most of the 100 guests were not of the Cusumano mold, but rather upstanding old friends of the Goodman family. Also on hand were politicos and even journalists, such as Review-Journal columnist John L. Smith, who's writing a book about Goodman.

Still, it's one thing for Goodman the former mob lawyer to bring Cusumano into his home. But Goodman the mayor should be smarter than that.

When pressed, Goodman refused to acknowledge that he made a mistake. Instead he suggested that if Spilotro, another ex-client, had been alive, he also would have been invited.

That left lawmen who watch the mob shaking their heads in disbelief.

It's true that organized crime over the years has played a big role in the the allure of Las Vegas.

But as Wall Street has taken over the Strip in recent years, Las Vegas has made great strides in ridding the industry of the mob's influence.

Why should we allow Goodman to diminish those efforts because he can't separate his previous career as a mob lawyer from his duties as mayor?