Malone’s work as commissioner was controversial

Jace Radke

Friday, Nov. 7, 2003 | 9:44 a.m.

-- Las Vegas Sun

He was at the center of a controversy involving a vote on a neighborhood casino in Spring Valley in 2000. Malone initially said he would vote against an application by Boyd Gaming and Triple Five Nevada Development Corp. to build an eight-story casino in a shopping center near Flamingo Road and Grand Canyon Drive.

Despite assurances to residents that he wouldn't vote for the casino, Malone changed his mind and joined then-Commissioner Erin Kenny and Commissioner Mary Kincaid-Chauncey in voting for the project.

Malone left office in 2000 after losing his re-election bid. Michael Galardi became one of the clients of Malone's G.R. Consulting.

Malone, who pleaded not guilty to charges of extortion, racketeering and wire fraud in connection with a San Diego indictment, was also one of the commissioners who participated in a controversial May 1999 vote involving Galardi's father, Jack Galardi.

Ardel Jorgenson, the county's director of business licensing, had asked the commission for funding to send Metro Police detectives to Atlanta to investigate Jack Galardi, who owns strip clubs there. At the time the Galardis were seeking approval from the county to open Jaguars in Las Vegas.

By a 4-3 margin the commission turned down Jorgenson's request. Malone, Kenny, Commissioner Myrna Williams and then-Commissioner Dario Herrera voted against the funding.