Friday, March 18, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

JOHN L. SMITH: Attorneys for Crazy Horse Too boss see indictment coming soon

It's hard to know when a federal indictment is going to be unsealed, but it's clear legal advocates for embattled Crazy Horse Too boss Rick Rizzolo believe it will be soon.

During a hearing this week before Discovery Commissioner Thomas Biggar in the civil case between Kansas tourist Kirk Henry and Rizzolo, the topless mogul's attorney, Daniel Carvalho, said there was consensus that an indictment was on the horizon.

Carvalho represents Rizzolo in the civil case. Tony Sgro represents Rizzolo in criminal matters. David Chesnoff represents Crazy Horse Too shift manager Vincent Faraci. Henry, who claims he suffered a broken neck after a beating outside the club, is represented by Don Campbell and Stan Hunterton.

Crazy Horse Too shift manager Bobby D'Apice already has been indicted on racketeering and tax charges.

"(Chesnoff) is of the impression, and my impression also in talking with Mr. Sgro, who is heavily involved in the criminal case, is that a charging decision with respect to the remaining defendants is likely to be made very soon," Carvalho told the court.

It was easier to get President Clinton's deposition than Faraci's.

Campbell told the court he's been trying to take Faraci's deposition since May. Now he's having trouble finding him. The best attempts of local private investigator David Groover to reach Faraci have been unsuccessful.

In recent weeks, I've reported that Faraci, son of notorious Bonanno crime family capo "Johnny Green" Faraci, had sold his house and had plans to conduct business in Mexico.

"Mr. Faraci is avoiding service presently," Campbell said. "Mr. Groover is even at the moment trying to serve him. And he has been ducking him for weeks now. They (attorneys) were supposed to produce him long ago."

Campbell raised compelling questions in his motion:

"Why are Rizzolo's attorneys bringing this motion on behalf of Faraci? What standing does Rizzolo have to bring the motion on behalf of Faraci? Where is Chesnoff? (In New York on other legal business.) For that matter, where is Faraci?"

GIBBONS' GAFFES: If Rep. Jim Gibbons were a boxer, and not a winking candidate for governor in 2006, a referee would have stopped the fight on account of self-inflicted punches.

First, he gives a plagiarized speech.

Then, it's revealed he's paid a former TV talk show host $8,000 as a "consultant."

What next, secret Communist Party membership?

At the rate he's going, it wouldn't be surprising if Gibbons awoke one day and decided to remain in Congress, where the plagiarism is barely noticed and the Bush administration isn't above cutting checks for favored scribes.

The guy doesn't need a speech writer or a "consultant."

He needs a cut man.

MERCURY'S MOVE: The Stephens Media-owned Las Vegas Mercury alternative weekly vanishes after this week's edition and will be folded into CityLife, a recent acquisition of the media corporation that also owns the Review-Journal.

Let's hope the new CityLife keeps its old pugnacity.

MURPHY'S MOVIE: Lest anyone misunderstand, reputed "Mafia Cops" Louis Eppolito and Steve Caracappa don't have a movie deal with Sandy Murphy. They had made her acquaintance and saw the potential of her story.

It's often been reported that Murphy also talked movie deals with Joey Cusumano, who has been in the business for many years and knows a thing or two about the mob and Hollywood.

ON THE BOULEVARD: Metro Sgt. Randy Sutton's new book, "A Cop's Life: True Stories From the Heart Behind the Badge," is nearing publication from St. Martin's Press. I've seen an advance copy, and it looks great. ... Jack Miller has another novel coming called "Master Cheat!" ... Review-Journal editorial writer Vin Suprynowicz has just released his first novel, "The Black Arrow." Libertarians and suspense fans will dig it. ... Melvin Dummar, who still claims he rescued Howard Hughes from the desert nearly 40 years ago, was recently sighted in Tonopah by Times-Bonanza reporter Heidi J. Bertolino. Dummar's updated story has been written by former FBI agent Gary Magnesen.

Have an item for the Bard of the Boulevard? E-mail comments and contributions to Smith@reviewjournal.com or call 383-0295.