Larry Brown, Victor Chaltiel against downtown red light district; Carolyn Goodman open to idea

By Delen Goldberg

Published Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011 | 2:40 p.m.

Updated Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011 | 3:14 p.m.

Prostitution is illegal in Las Vegas, but depending on who becomes the next mayor, that could change.

The leading candidates have very different views on the world's oldest profession.

Clark County Commissioner Larry Brown and businessman Victor Chaltiel are against it. First lady Carolyn Goodman would consider it. And Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani is on the fence.

Brown followed Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's lead today and announced that he also wants legalized prostitution abolished in Nevada.

Reid this morning in an address to state legislators called for “an adult conversation” about prostitution in the state, saying it's an impediment to economic development because it discourages businesses from moving here.

"Sen. Reid is exactly right," Brown said. "Nevada needs to be known for innovation and job creation, not prostitution.”

Brown's position sets him apart from Goodman, one of his most formidable opponents. Goodman has said she is open to the idea of developing a red light district downtown, first proposed by her husband, Mayor Oscar Goodman.

Oscar Goodman has said a red light district could be used as a redevelopment tool.

"There are pros and cons to everything," Carolyn Goodman said.

Brown called that thinking "antiquated" and argued that prostitution would hurt economic development.

“As Sen. Reid said, what business would want to relocate in a city where prostitution is not only legal, but celebrated?” Brown asked.

Brown said he plans to send a letter to Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford and Assembly Speaker John Oceguera urging them to pass legislation outlawing brothels. Reid made the same request Tuesday.

Chaltiel also called the idea of legalized prostitution in Las Vegas "ridiculous."

"I am totally against it," Chaltiel recently told KNPR. "You're going to offer this to young people as a model of jobs? I want to provide good jobs, family jobs for Las Vegas."

Giunchigliani said she agrees with Reid that the topic needs to be discussed, but she didn't go so far as to say she wants prostitution outlawed. She called it a state issue because local lawmakers have no power to change prostitution laws.

"They should absolutely have that adult conversation" in the Legislature, she said. "If people have a misconception that's a barrier to relocating here -- any detractors to development -- that needs to be fixed."

Giunchigliani also complained about the state sending mixed messages to tourists and businesses. While prostitution is illegal in five Nevada counties, including Clark County, many visitors don't realize it because Las Vegas promotes itself as Sin City.

"It's all the innuendo that comes into play," she said.