Mistrial sets back high-profile meth distribution case for third time

The third time was not a charm in the federal methamphetamine distribution trial of "Mafia Cop" son Anthony Eppolito and Guido Bravatti.

Mistrials twice were declared by U.S. District Judge Philip Pro during jury selection in a case involving bit players in a larger government investigation of reputed cops-turned-mob hit men Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa. The first occurred when not enough prospective jurors showed up for the selection process. The second came after an excused juror uttered an epithet at the defendants loud enough for other possible jurors to hear him.

On Wednesday, Pro again was compelled to declare a mistrial after the prosecution failed to prevent key government witness Steve Corso from referring to a potentially prejudicial conversation he had at a restaurant with Louis Eppolito and Caracappa just before phoning Bravatti to set up what the government argues was a drug transaction.

Pro now will decide whether to end the case, start it once more or even separate the defendants in severed trials, as has been requested by Eppolito's attorney, Richard Schonfeld.

Louis Eppolito and Caracappa, decorated New York detectives who retired to Las Vegas in 1991, gained national notoriety after they were indicted, accused of participating in numerous crimes, including murder, on behalf of the Lucchese mob family. Their convictions were thrown out, but Eppolito since has pleaded guilty to a charge of tax fraud. He's scheduled for sentencing May 9.

ENDOSCOPY MESS: The Legislative Committee on Health Care met Thursday at the Sawyer Building to discuss the public health implications of the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada mess.

Much confusion, even more outrage, but one truth emerged from the meeting: Nevada is still a wilderness when it comes to important regulatory oversight.

DOCTORS STILL IN?: Now that surgeons John Thalgott and Ben Venger have admitted in federal court to lying under oath repeatedly and selling out patients, will University Medical Center officials decide to end their association with the ethically challenged physicians?

LOTTO CARE: Cash-strapped Oregon reportedly is considering a lottery to provide uninsured residents operations and health care.

What next, a brain surgery bake sale and a chemotherapy car wash?

PURE TROUBLE: An informed source says select friends of Pure management who played traffic cop at the front door of the popular club were making more than $300,000 a year ... but declaring only $30,000.

The Internal Revenue Service continues its investigation, which recently included serving a search warrant on the club and the home of Pure official Steve Davidovici. Buzz has Davidovici considering a move to Florida.

ST. BALDRICK'S DAY: My 11-year-old daughter, Amelia, swears she'll keep both eyes open when she shaves my head Saturday afternoon at McMullan's Irish Pub as part of the St. Baldrick's Day childhood cancer research fundraiser. I try to remind myself that she's always been good with scissors, and the odds of her actually lopping off an ear are at least 2-to-1.

St. Baldrick's is one of her favorite celebrations. As a childhood cancer survivor, she not only gets to give her dad a shave but also helps raise money for the charity.

Many thanks to contributors W.J. Wallace Jr. of Westwood Realty, Tami Belt of Blue Cube marketing, Greg Ham of Rebel Glass, Tamara Fleming of A Twisted Tulip florist and, of course, the Review-Journal.

Strategic Solutions president Terry Murphy is keeping her hair but has enlisted friend John Bielinski to donate $2,000, while another pal, Pat McCarrick, will go hairless.

Now that's a persuasive consultant.

The donation is made in honor of Amelia's courage, which, as readers of this column know, is priceless.

ON THE BOULEVARD: "Buffalo Jim" Barrier, the irrepressible thorn in the side of former topless mogul Rick Rizzolo, is now planning to run for mayor. Rizzolo is planning to complete his stay in a federal halfway house located not far from his Crazy Horse Too. What are the chances either will succeed? ... Books on the way: "An Appetite For Life" by Fellini's Ristorante chef Chas LaForte; "Pawprints of Katrina: Pets Saved and Lessons Learned" by Cathy Scott; "Storming Las Vegas" by John Huddy; and of course "The Good Fight: Hard Lessons From Searchlight to Washington" by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid with Mark Warren.

Have an item for the Bard of the Boulevard? E-mail comments and contributions to Smith@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0295.