Conspiracy, Fraud, Favors, & Cover-ups in Las Vegas

[zengrifter]

July 1, 2007

Nevada's Online State News Journal

Political Crime Beat

Galardi, Kenny, Davidson,Rizzolo, And Etc.
Clark County Filled With Conspiracy, Fraud, Favors, Cover-ups

by Johnny Gunn

Clark County grew to its current level of existence through International Crime Syndicates, grew from a sleepy little desert springs and crossroads into the gambling Mecca of the world because of criminal activity, so why should it surprise anyone that an indifference to political fraud, criminal conspiracy, and alleged judicial involvement be a normal part of everyday life? When one finds that almost every instance of political criminal activity is brought before a federal bar, not local, when one finds city and county election turnout in the 15 percent range, and when one reads in major newspapers published outside the state about alleged local judicial involvement in those crimes, one begins to understand the generations deep problem; a problem that won't be answered by way of local involvement in most cases.

It's been noted before that the Clark County Commission is the most desired office in the state, more so than any legislative or state office, barring perhaps that of governor or attorney general and most recently many members of that august body have found themselves packing bags for a trip to federal penitentiaries. An ongoing trial involving bribery charges leveled at former County Commissioner Erin Kenny spells out how degraded the system of political power in Clark County has become.

Kenny has been accursed of accepting bribes of up to $200,000 for votes and other favors while serving on the commission. Land developer Lawrence Davidson, Sr., and his son have been accused of giving the bribes in order to secure a change in land use, which would allow a pharmacy to be built. But, there's more to it than what meets the eye on first read. Davidson has also been accused of offering Kenny bribes in order to get a casino project accepted by the commission a few years earlier.

...more - http://www.nevadaobserver.com/News%20Story%2005.htm

[zengrifter]

Vol. 4, No. 19 August 1, 2007

Nevada's Online State News Journal

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When Dan DeQuille wrote for the Territorial Enterprise of Virginia City fame, back in the 19th century, he used this depiction of a braying, angry, miner's burro. He always called it, as did most of the prospectors of the day, "A Washoe Canary." Below are some of our brayings, that is, Washoe Canary Songs. Opinion:

Mafia Influence Under The Radar

Corruption Trials Highlight The Issue

by Johnny Gunn

Two separate yet connected at the hips events have been taking place recently that many in Nevada don't seem to understand. Very few will argue that before the explosion of hotel casinos in Las Vegas took place, the gambling palaces that were there were run by the mob, La Cosa Nostra, the Mafia, but when corporate gaming came along, too many Nevadans seem to be under the impression that gangster influence has been done away with in the Silver State. Nothing could be farther from the truth; it is simply that an equally dangerous focus has taken place within the mob.

From the days of political influence, money laundering, skimming, and controlling who certain casino bosses are, the new influence is political influence, money laundering, controlling drug traffic, controlling who certain casino bosses and door people are, and controlling the sex industry. Two items, as mentioned above, all but prove these points. One, the Chicago Family Secrets trial now underway, and two, the Galardi -- Davidson trials resulting in politicians going to jail. At the heart of all is the mob, La Cosa Nostra, the Mafia.

Because of the incredible amounts of cash that flow through Clark County $kindustry hands, coupled with an equally incredible amount of cash from the constant flow of heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine, leads even the most resolute to grasp that politicians can be and are bought and sold the same as toilet paper and douche kits. Simple background checks on some of the names and one finds direct ties to Chicago, New York, Pennsylvania, and Orange County mob families. Galardi, Rizzolo, Goodman, have ties going back generations, and in Chicago today, the Family Secrets trial is bringing up what used to be and tying it with what is today.

Another tie that seems to be coming together is that of criminally inclined developers and their bagmen having these same backgrounds. While the developer might not be directly tied to mob influence, the bagmen, think Lance Malone here, have immediate ties. How best for a developer to get certain land deals if those that have a full understanding of political corruption do the buying and selling of county commissioners and city council representatives? How best to get city and county personnel to do the bidding of the developer than by using the same methods that have been proven successful by the mob?

How best to keep this as a little family secret? Don't allow local investigations to get past the stage of a report being written. Prosecutors, judiciary, even bottom feeding investigators get their little envelopes, and no local or state investigation ever takes place. Rizzolo is in jail, Galardi is in jail, Malone is in jail, Kenny is on her way to jail, Herrera is in jail, Kincaid-Chauncey is in jail, and not one of them has been charged with a Nevada crime. In every instance only federal investigations and federal charges, and federal trials have accomplished the goal.

Add to the mix a population that has very little in the way of a Nevada background, that is as apathetic as could be found anywhere in the nation, and it is understandable why the mob influence is as strong today (stronger?) than it was in earlier generations. That apathy on the part of the Clark County electorate will allow the powers that be to remain in power for another few generations. In the last municipal elections, less than 15 percent of those eligible voted.

A crusading prosecutor might not live long, but it would certainly be refreshing to find one or two.

•••

_________________________

Cartoon by Thomas Nast, April 12, 1874

[zengrifter]

Oscar's prote'ge. zg

-------------
George Knapp, Chief Investigative Reporter
NEW G-Sting: Feds Investigate Former
Las Vegas Councilman


The Department of Justice is seeking
information about former Las Vegas
City Councilman Michael McDonald.

The G-Sting political corruption investigation isn't finished after all. Eyewitness News has learned federal authorities are now investigating a former elected official whose name has been previously linked to the G-Sting probe.

On the same day former Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny was sentenced to prison for her part in the G-Sting bribery scandal, an event that many assumed would be the end of the line for the G-Sting probe, a flurry of subpoenas was issued by the U.S. attorney's office compelling the testimony of local persons before a federal grand jury.

The Department of Justice is seeking information about former Las Vegas City Councilman Michael McDonald. In a surveillance photo taken by FBI agents, McDonald is seen meeting with former strip club owner Mike Galardi, who is now in prison for paying bribes to four county commissioners. The commissioners have also been sentenced.

...more - http://www.klas-tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6828868

[aslan]

No telling where the crime families have their hooks, but one thing is for sure, they didn't just leave Vegas when big business came in as so many people think.

[zengrifter]

December 05, 2007

O.J. case a chance to shed light on
corruption in Vegas courts

by Donny Ferguson

Fox News, CNN, Court TV and the gang will soon descend on Las Vegas as tabloid mainstay O.J. Simpson goes on trial facing charges of armed robbery and kidnapping allegedly committed with accomplices so shady the prosecution fears their testimony against Simpson could work in his favor.

But reporters looking for an even shadier cast of characters should venture down the hallway into other courtrooms. There, they could find those accused of nefarious deeds ranging from blackmail, mob ties and fixing cases to line their own pockets are behind the bench, rather than in front of it.

Las Vegas courtrooms have earned a reputation as some of the most compromised in the nation, where rulings are often based on personal relationships and financial benefit, rather than the letter of the law.

MORE- http://www.freeliberal.com/archives/003089.html