Police won’t charge mayor’s son

Sito Negron

Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004 | 9:37 a.m.

Police did not find evidence to support filing charges against Ross Goodman or Louis Palazzo regarding the hotly contested land deal between the two lawyers and an 85-year-old woman who, according to her daughter and lawyer, drifts in and out of lucidity.

"We saw no evidence of a crime occurring here. The property was owned by Miss (Christina) Von Sturm. It is still owned by Miss Von Sturm. She, as far as we can tell at this point, suffered no financial loss," said Metro Capt. Rick Bilyeu, Financial Property Crimes bureau commander.

"What may have occurred is a civil dispute that may be pursued through civil court depending on the parties involved," he said. "There's no further action planned from the police department at this time."

The deal has indeed become subject of a lawsuit, with Goodman and Palazzo, who failed to close escrow by the original contract date, claiming they had an oral agreement with Von Sturm to extend the purchase deadline.

It also became the subject of media scrutiny -- and the subsequent inquiry by police -- because of several facts. Among them:

Von Sturm's daughter and lawyer say Palazzo and Ross Goodman badgered the 85-year-old woman into signing the original contract; even if that contract was valid, they say, there is no lawful basis for an oral modification.

Their concerns were heightened by what they say is her lack of coherence, something that makes her a target for people looking to cash in on her property at 511 and 515 Las Vegas Boulevard.

Police did not interview either the daughter or the lawyer in the inquiry. Von Sturm's lawyer, Ted Cohen, questioned why not.

"That sure was a fast investigation. I just can't imagine an investigation would take place without talking to anybody on the victim's side," Cohen said.

Bilyeu said his officers looked at the property records to determine a simple fact: "Those properties are currently owned by Miss Von Sturm. They were listed for sale approximately a year ago. The property was not sold; the listing expired."

Since the land is still owned by Von Sturm, he said, "she, as far as we can tell at this point, suffered no financial loss."

Ross Goodman and Palazzo have not spoken to the Sun for more than a week, since the story first was reported.