Wednesday, February 18, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Watchdog files ethics complaint against mayor

Goodman accused of using name, position to influence attendance at party, benefiting son

Mayor Oscar Goodman received notice Tuesday of an ethics complaint filed against him, giving him 10 days to respond to allegations he violated the state's ethical standards when he promoted a cocktail party benefiting his son's business venture last month.

Ethics watchdog and retired auto mechanic Robert Rose filed the complaint, accusing Goodman of using his name and position to influence others to attend the gathering and thus benefit his son.

Rose cited three sections of the state ethics code in his complaint, including the clause prohibiting officials from using their "position in government to secure or grant unwarranted privileges, preferences, exemptions or advantages for ... any person to whom he has a commitment in a private capacity to the interests of that person."

While in Washington, D.C., to attend the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Goodman distributed invitations bearing his name and title to other conference attendees and political officials. He also acted as host of the Jan. 22 gathering, promoting a product created by IPolitix that measures constituents' political interests.

The company, which paid for the party, is a venture among mayoral son Ross Goodman, Councilman Michael Mack and IMedia International Inc.

Goodman argued he acted as a father assisting a son in promoting the event and not as mayor. "I really believe I am pure of heart," Goodman said Tuesday of the allegations against him.

The Ethics Commission rejected an earlier complaint by Rose because it was filed on an outdated form and lacked "credible evidence." Rose's latest complaint includes as evidence videotapes of Goodman's news conferences on Jan. 29 and Feb. 5.

"With this updated information, I think they (the commission) will take jurisdiction," Rose said Tuesday.