Ethics ruling believed to have gone mayor’s way

Monday, Dec. 13, 2004 | 10:51 a.m.

The state Ethics Commission ruled on Dec. 3 that a public official, believed to be Mayor Oscar Goodman, can discuss and vote in Las Vegas City Council decisions over downtown land, despite his partnership in a nearby building.

Goodman is partners in a medical building with local developer Mark Fine, who is also developing another downtown parcel.

Goodman requested a ruling from the ethics commission after questions were raised on the matter months ago at one of the mayor's weekly news conferences.

The Ethics Commission Web site posted the opinion, but did not identify Goodman under its rules of advisory opinions.

The commission's opinion noted that the public officer "has been actively involved in and seeking and encouraging private and nonprofit entities to develop the city-owned parcel of land."

The opinion recognizes that development of 61 acres of vacant land downtown, including the mayor's push for an academic medical center, could have an effect on the value of the existing medical building.

Since Fine would not receive any more benefit than any other area business, the Ethics Commission did not object to the mayor's participation.

However, the opinion states that this "is speculative" and the benefit or detriment will be to the general area, a position from which the commission decided there was no need for the mayor to abstain.

The commission advised the mayor to disclose his interests.

Contacted at his home Sunday evening, Goodman declined to comment on the ruling, saying he was visiting with his family. He also was not available for comment today.

Over the weekend, Goodman met with officials of major league baseball teams at a private party Saturday night in Anaheim, Calif. He arrived Saturday afternoon with an Elvis impersonator and two showgirls.

Goodman appeared Saturday at the Anaheim Marriott to tell reporters attending baseball's winter meetings that bringing a franchise to Las Vegas was a distinct possibility. The mayor also met Wednesday in his city hall office with two officials of the Florida Marlins.

That plan would involve construction of a stadium on the 61 acres of vacant land downtown, Goodman has said.

Goodman had gone to the Ethics Commission for its advisory opinion after being brought before it in May to respond to allegations that he violated ethics rules by using his office to promote his son's business.

After two days of public hearings, a panel of four commissioners found that the mayor did break the law, but split on whether or not he meant to do so. Goodman was not fined.

In July Goodman sought the advice of the commission on another matter in a closed-door session, but refused to disclose the subject of the meeting.

The meeting, in which Goodman answered questions from the commissioners and got their opinions about a potential activity that might involve an ethical conflict, lasted more than and hour and a half.

By law, public officials may request advisory sessions with the commission. The sessions are closed and the commissioners cannot disclose what is discussed.

The person requesting the session may reveal what it is about, in which case the proceedings become public. Goodman said he chose to keep the July proceedings confidential.