Literary Las Vegas: Oscar Goodman

Among messages from “Being Oscar: From Mob Lawyer to Mayor of Las Vegas — Only In America,” written by former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman with George Anastasia, are: Everyone has the right to the protections of the Constitution; and the courts, the FBI and the police were not opposed to “allowing abuses to take place in the ‘interest of justice.’ “

Fresh from law school, Goodman took a job clerking for the Clark County District Attorney. As soon as he passed the bar, he opened up a practice and worked his way up the chain from bit players to major names such as Frank Rosenthal and Tony Spilotro. Goodman used talent, charm and pure luck to win, sometimes surprising even himself when verdicts came back not guilty.

While his opponents saw him as “the Prince of Darkness” representing the mob, not all of Goodman’s clients were allegedly connected to organized crime. When Mike Tyson bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield’s ear, it was Goodman who bargained with the Nevada Athletic Commission on his behalf.

Goodman explains the origins of his iconic image — complete with suit, martini and showgirls. He also talks about some of his controversial moves, such as insisting he have a role in every visiting movie seeking a permit.

The National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, the Mob Museum, 300 Stewart Ave., is helping Goodman launch his book with three days of festivities. First up is a “Being Oscar” Bash from 6:30 to 9 p.m. May 23. Admission is free to museum members and $10 for others. Guests who purchase a copy of the book from the museum gift shop on May 24 will receive free admission to the museum. Goodman plans 30-minute presentations in the museum’s historic courtroom at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Free admission with a book purchase is also planned on May 25. Goodman is set to make a grand entrance at 10:30 a.m. and sign books from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Other promotions include a Goodman lookalike contest and a Where’s Oscar Bobble Head Photo Hunt. For details, visit themobmuseum.com.

Goodman also plans to sign copies of the book at 2 p.m. June 1 at the 8915 W. Charleston Blvd. Barnes & Noble.

Excerpt from ‘Being Oscar: From Mob Lawyer to Mayor of Las Vegas — Only in America’

To me, Las Vegas is unique, unlike any other city in the country — unlike any other city in the world. That’s what I love about the place, and that’s why I’ve always tired to promote.

Sin City? I’ll take it.

Built by the mob? Yeah. So what?

Guys came here with jackets — long criminal arrest records. And when given a second chance, some of them became our founding fathers. Guys like Benny Binion and Moe Dalitz. They were community leaders. They built churches and synagogues and some of the fanciest gambling palaces the world has ever seen. That distinguished us. Now forty-eight different jurisdictions have some form of gambling. Dozens of places have casinos. But I still consider Atlantic City and those other places the industry equivalent of the 51s — minor leaguers.

Las Vegas, my town, is the major leagues.