Goodman met with reputed mobster at City Hall

Friday, May 16, 2003 | 11:50 a.m.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman is now saying that he did have a City Hall meeting with a reputed mobster who is banned from casinos in Nevada.

David Riggleman, spokesman for the mayor, said Charles Panarella, who is listed in the state's Black Book, came to the 10th floor of City Hall unannounced in 1999 and asked Goodman if he could help his son find a job.

Panarella was one of Goodman's clients when Goodman was a practicing defense lawyer, Riggleman said.

On Thursday, Goodman's spokeswoman, Elaine Sanchez, had told the Sun that Goodman denied ever meeting with Panarella in the mayor's office.

This morning Riggleman said Goodman met with Panarella -- in the reception area of the office -- and told him he would see what he could do to help the man's son.

Riggleman said the son, a graduate of Bishop Gorman High School, did not get work at City Hall, but rather eventually found work at a local radio broadcasting company. Riggleman said he does not know whether Goodman helped him get the job.

Riggleman said that Goodman did not know at the time that Panarella was placed in the Black Book in 1997. The book is a list of people who state gaming officials have deemed by unsavory and not to be allowed in casinos.

Panarella is reportedly a member of the Colombo crime family and was convicted nine years ago in connection with a drug money laundering scheme that involved the Maxim casino.

Goodman was criticized earlier this year for having as a guest in his home Joey Cusamano, also a former client and reputed mob associate who also is in the Black Book.

Goodman is a longtime Las Vegas defense attorney who has represented a number of clients alleged to be mobsters.