LVCVA ‘terrorist analyst’ job generating speculation

The recent decision by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors
Authority to spend $480,000 in less than three years to fund a
“terrorist analyst” position has tongues wagging throughout local and
federal law enforcement. The question some are asking: Who will get
that sweet assignment?

Although the analyst would officially work under Metro’s umbrella as
part of the local anti-terrorism fusion center, the position would
essentially act as a liaison between law enforcement and the Southern
Nevada resort industry.

The job description has already been criticized as duplicative and
unnecessary. Resort security already has a strong working relationship
with Metro, the FBI, and officials who work on Homeland Security
issues.

There’s a lot of speculation about who might be in line for the
spot. Metro officials say they haven’t made their choice, but have
narrowed the candidate list to a few finalists. (Some are wondering
aloud why the position wasn’t advertised a little more loudly. Some
didn’t know there was such an opening.)

One name that has surfaced is that of Paul Masto, a Senior Special
Agent with the Secret Service and the husband of Nevada Attorney
General Catherine Cortez Masto.

Cortez Masto, of course, is the daughter of the late head of the
LVCVA, Manny Cortez.

It will be intriguing to see who emerges with the coveted job.
Because the position itself was created with a vote of the LVCVA
board, there's no argument the identity of the eventual terrorist
analyst should be made known.