Monday, March 21, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM: Ex-slugger's ties to scandal noted

Friend of Reggie Jackson draws attention. Matt Damon sees his luck change at Palms.

Baseball's steroids scandal might jeopardize Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson's role in Las Vegas' big league bid.

As the cleanup plays out, look for Major League Baseball to distance itself from anyone with ties to the mess.

Jackson, one of the most visible faces in the local bid, could be hurt by his association to a man alleged to be a steroids dealer.

According to sources cited by the New York Daily News, powerlifter Curtis Wenzlaff, who stayed at Jackson's Oakland, Calif., home for long stretches in the 1980s, provided Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire and others with illegal anabolic steroids.

Jackson did not use steroids and was not aware that Wenzlaff was dealing them, Wenzlaff told the Daily News.

But it was through his friendship with Jackson, after his retirement in 1987, that Wenzlaff was able to visit the Oakland A's clubhouse and meet Canseco and McGwire.

The revelations came out of Operation Equine, an FBI sweep in the early 1990s that led to 70 trafficking convictions, the largest steroids bust in the United States.

Hogwash

and Heifers

Hogs & Heifers owner Michelle Dell informs me that New York developer Richard Privitera misrepresented himself as an investor and designer of her downtown saloon.

Dell, in an e-mail, said she is the sole proprietor and added, "I have never heard of Richard Privitera."

Privitera told New York gossip columnist Baird Jones last week that he was a partner and designer and that the saloon owners were hoping to land ZZ Top for the April opening.

"I have never hired anyone to design my businesses," said Dell, "and have no intention of doing so here in Vegas. ZZ Top is not being sought after for the grand opening, although that would be wonderful."

When I reached Privitera on Sunday, he said he was a general contractor, not a partner, but added, "Michelle is a very good friend. I was supposed to come out in two weeks and try to help out and try to move this thing forward."

To which Dell responded: "I don't appreciate him promoting himself in connection with my name and my business. If he's going to be so presumptuous, he should at least introduce himself."

Sightings

Huey Lewis of Huey Lewis and The News, in the audience singing along to Bob Dylan's "You've Got a Lot of Nerve" at Dylan's concert Saturday at the Aladdin. That might have been the only time anyone could actually make out the words. For the first 40 minutes, I thought the soundtrack was stuck on the same song. ... Tommy Lee of Motley Crue, holding court with girls galore at Tangerine (Treasure Island) on Saturday. ... Matt Damon, turning heads in the Palms spa on Sunday. On Friday, he was losing a bundle until Palms owner George Maloof rubbed Damon's chips for good luck. Damon won the next 11 hands. ... The Dixie Chicks, buying their own tickets to the Erik Morales-Manny Pacquiao super featherweight fight at the MGM Grand on Saturday. ... A male and female streaker, taken into custody Saturday at "Beacher's Madhouse" (Hard Rock Hotel) after dashing on stage, covered only with strategically placed "Happy birthday, Beacher" signs. Show creator and host Jeff Beacher turned 29, again. ... Singer Aaron Carter, burning up the track Sunday at Fast Lap Indoor Kart Racing.

The Punch Line

"Ben Affleck has had more uncouplings than trains on the Lackawanna Railroad." -- Raoul Feldman, divorce attorney to the stars.

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com