Dan Kulin

Thu, Jul 7, 2005 (10 a.m.)

A man convicted of hiring a hit man to kill a Caesars Palace casino executive's wife in 1974 was given a work card by the Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday.

The work card will allow Frank LaPena to work at the Kiss club, where the owners said he will probably be a host and possibly a bar-back.

Work cards are distributed by Metro Police and are required for certain jobs in Las Vegas, such as those involving liquor sales. Applicants denied work cards for employment within the city limits can appeal the decision to the City Council, which LaPena did.

The council voted 5-1 to approve LaPena's appeal, with Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian voting against the measure. Mayor Oscar Goodman, a former criminal defense attorney, abstained from the vote because he had represented LaPena at one time, city spokeswoman Diana Paul said.

LaPena was convicted of hiring Gerald Weakland to kill Hilda Krause in January 1974. Her throat was slit and her husband, Marvin, was beaten in their home.

LaPena's girlfriend, Rosalie Maxwell, worked at Caesars Palace and was dating Marvin, who was a slots manager. The plot allegedly was for Maxwell to marry Krause and later inherit his fortune for herself and LaPena.

Weakland pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and testified for the state.

LaPena, who has spent years in prison and is now on parole, has repeatedly denied his involvement in the crime.

LaPena was also convicted in the other case of second-degree kidnapping and battery with a deadly weapon in connection with the abduction of William Obenauer in November 1973. The Nevada Supreme Court overturned that conviction.

In a letter to the City Council, Kiss owners Marlene and Tony Golamis said they were aware of his criminal history and know LaPena is on parole.

"We believe in giving a man a second chance after he has paid his debt to society," the letter stated. "Mr. LaPena is polite, personable and we believe that he fits our employment needs."