A few more observations before the Royal Links Golf Course debacle fades further into yesterday's news. A good place to start is with this memorable line: "It appears that there has been a consistent pattern of political and financial favoritism."

Those words from a special investigation on behalf of the Nevada attorney general summed up the actions of the Las Vegas City Hall bosses succinctly, completely and accurately. The attempted deal between elected officials -- who are supposed to be looking out for us -- and golf course developer Billy Walters may now officially and without contradiction be labeled a bad deal for Las Vegas taxpayers.

It didn't take a special investigation to reveal that. Most everyone knew the deal didn't smell quite right. But sometimes, especially if you've been around a peculiar odor for a while, it takes an outside nose to confirm the stink.

So when Attorney General George Chanos assigned to the case a San Francisco law firm adept at untangling the value of land and water, everyone stood on tiptoe waiting for the report's judgment. It came with no equivocation: "It appears that there has been a consistent pattern of political and financial favoritism."

Boil it down to one word: "juice."

And while blame can be dished out to any number of City Hall folks, past and present, Mayor Oscar Goodman ought to get a fair share. The mayor solicited this deal with the urgency of a hooker at a stoplight. I don't buy for one minute the idea that the mayor was misled by staff or overwhelmed by the technical aspects of the case. The logical way to put all this together: The mayor wanted to do his friend a favor and he was willing to do it at the expense of Las Vegas citizens.

Had Oscar tried this kind of fast move with his old mobster client Tony Spilatro's money, well ... do you remember the pen-in-the-neck scene in the movie "Casino"?

As for William T. Walters, who is at the center of this controversy, it ought to be said that, as a general rule, to know Bill Walters is to like Bill Walters.

He is generous with his money to many worthy causes, most notably, Opportunity Village. He has also given hundreds of thousands of dollars to other organizations and individuals in private acts of charity. No press releases. No photos in the newspaper.

I make note of this because, first, it hasn't been said in this brouhaha and, second, it is instructive when contemplating the nature of a "juice" deal. Unlikable outsiders don't get sweetheart treatment. If they do, we call that a "bribe" not "juice." Juice by its very nature comes in the form of longtime relationships and mutual back-scratching.

There's nothing wrong with that so long as it doesn't come at the expense of taxpayers. The people's business must be done with the best interests of the public in mind. Friendships, family, professional relationships, charity, community work, high school affiliation, religion, upbringing, civic work and campaign contributions should not matter.

For folks in Las Vegas who have made a nice living applying "juice" to deals, AG Chanos has just introduced a new and dangerous concept to Nevada government.

It's actually an old concept. And it is exactly the right concept.

While doing taxpayer business, the people's employees and elected representatives must act only in the best interest of the people. Those who may have forgotten that concept ought to rediscover it and live by it -- right now.

I have a feeling the attorney general will be watching.

Sherman Frederick is publisher of the Las Vegas Review-Journal and president of Stephens Media. Readers may write him at sfrederick@ reviewjournal.com.