COLUMN: John L. Smith

     In the real Wild West, telling the good guys from the bad guys isn't as easy as checking the color of their hats.
      I have been thinking about that since hearing of the commotion recently at the Longstreet Casino near Pahrump in the heart of what remains of Nevada's Wild West. Owned by popular Las Vegas automobile dealer Jim Marsh, the Longstreet is named for Jack Longstreet, who is known to historians as the last of the desert frontiersmen. Frontiersman is a fancy way of saying Longstreet lived life on his own terms, wasn't afraid to shoot those who crossed him. To some, he was an old cattle rustler and Civil War pirate. To others, he was a man who stood up to bullies and wanted nothing more than to be left alone.
      But I'll venture a guess that even Jack Longstreet would have trouble sorting out the goings-on at the hotel-casino that bears his name. That's what happens when a group of longtime good guys wind up going at it.
      The trouble commenced a few months after Jim Heptner was hired as general manager of the Longstreet. Heptner, Vietnam veteran and former Tropicana executive who last successfully managed the Furnace Creek Inn and Ranch Resort at Death Valley, quickly developed a marketing plan for the Longstreet. He also brought in employees to help with everything from food preparation to golf course development. With his expertise, Heptner appears to have endeared himself for a time to Marsh, who not only sells Mazdas but shares a decades-old affinity for the Old West and Central Nevada.
      But after being hired in mid-July, Heptner had a parting of the ways with Marsh in early February. Then the trouble really began.
      In the wake of Heptner's departure, other Longstreet employees were terminated by the resort's management. Heptner said in an interview that among those assisting with the terminations was Las Vegas FBI agent Dave Shepherd, a friend of the Marsh family.
      Heptner and others are accusing Shepherd of firing the secretaries and housekeepers who lost their jobs when Heptner left the company. Heptner said it was well-known that Shepherd was an FBI agent. He also is being accused of flashing his badge at one skeptical employee, who was later terminated.
      How angry is Heptner?
      He not only initiated contact with the Las Vegas office of the FBI and demanded an explanation from Shepherd's superiors, but he said he has not ruled out filing a civil rights complaint against the agent.
      Now for the next twist. Dave Shepherd is no lightweight.
      As a supervisor in the Las Vegas office, Shepherd has an excellent reputation. The former college wrestler often has been lauded for his work as an agent. For example, he was honored in 1987 as the federal Law Enforcement Officer of the Year from the Communications Fraud Control Association after his investigation led to the arrest of 311 people involved in a $16 million telephone fraud.
      Now his reputation is on the line. He is being investigated by federal authorities after a preliminary interview with Heptner by the local office of the FBI.
      In keeping with bureau policy, Special Agent in Charge Bob Siller kept his comments brief.
      "We would not do that investigation ourselves," Siller said. "I'm aware of it. I feel I've done the appropriate thing by referring it to our Office of Professional Responsibility."
      That means investigators from Washington will be dispatched to chase the allegations leveled by Heptner. They will interview witnesses, compile a report and reach a conclusion.
      That also means that the state Gaming Control Board's interest figures to be piqued. After all, Marsh is a licensee and Heptner has a 20-year reputation in the industry at stake.
      Contacted at his auto dealership, Marsh said he was unaware of any federal investigation.
      "It's news to me," he said.
      Shepherd did not return a phone call.
      But former Longstreet housekeeper Georgia Flaig confirmed that she was terminated after nearly one year's employment by Shepherd, who appeared to be doing a favor for the boss.
      Why, this area hasn't seen this much action since the days of Jack Longstreet.
      With the Washington boys on the way and the former general manager as mad as a hatful of hornets, before the dust settles each man's white hat figures to look more than a little gray.
     
     John L. Smith's column appears Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. He can be reached at John_L._Smith@lvrj.com.