Book details bets on 1960 election

A mob book reveals details about alleged betting by Kennedy family members on the outcome of the 1960 presidential election.

After running a blurb last week about Ted Kennedy, writing in his new book "True Compass," that he won an unspecified amount on JFK, but didn't collect it, I asked readers to respond with more details.

I heard from Jeremy Ranz of Las Vegas, who had just finished reading the book, "The Outfit," Gus Russo's examination of organized crime in Chicago.

Included was investigative reporting on the 1960 election.

According to the book, and citing Las Vegas historians Sally Denton and Roger Morris, "Ted Kennedy had a friend get down an election night $10,000 wager with the Riviera boss, Ross Miller.

"Hours later, as recalled by oddsmakers such as Jimmy the Greek, Ted apparently enhanced the wager when he had aide Stephen Smith phone up Wingy Grober at the Cal-Neva and had him lay down an additional $25,000 on brother Jack."

If this book is correct, somebody in the Kennedy family may have collected.

"Morris and Denton described a secret financial fallout from Kennedy's victory, the bookie payouts: 'An unknowing Graham Hollister -- a wealthy Sierra foothills Democrat and future official in the Kennedy administration -- brought Teddy his winnings in Los Angeles, guilelessly carrying the cash in a 'brown paper package,' as one witness remembered. Wingy Grober, it was said, sent the Kennedys their Cal-Neva winnings in similar wrapping.'"

The book claims Joe Kennedy, the family patriarch, had at least $22,000 on JFK. Rat Pack members Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin also placed large bets.

Teddy Kennedy, in his book, didn't mention his father's bets, only that Joe Kennedy blew up at him for betting.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

There are rumblings that the script for Holly Madison's reality show "Planet Holly" has her running for mayor of Las Vegas.

All those recent sightings of Vanessa Minnillo, Carson Kressly and Howard Stern's wife, Beth Ostrovsky, are linked to the ABC reality show "Face of Vegas," which is wrapping this weekend. They are hosting the show, which airs this winter. Look for Madison to have a prominent presence. ...

Deadly Seven, the local all-girl punk band made up of ex-Vegas showgirls, have caught the interest of U.K producer Steve Brown, who produced Sir Elton John, Freddy Mercury of Queen, George Michaels and rock gods The Cult. Branden Powers, the creator-manager, is having talks today with Cleopatra Records. Deadly Seven is booked for Halloween Eve at Diablo's, at the Monte Carlo. ...

A Las Vegan who attended Patrick Swayze's memorial on Sunday tells me Whoopi Goldberg served as the emcee. Jennifer Grey, who starred opposite Swayze in "Dirty Dancing," was seen sobbing, said my source, who prefers to remain anonymous.

Others who attended the services in the Sony Studios lot in Culver City, Calif., included: Rob Lowe, Kirstie Alley, Bill Paxton, and Kathryn Bigelow, who directed Swayze in "Point Break" with Keanu Reeves and Gary Busey. A group of his friends from Las Vegas, N.M., where he had a ranch, recited "The Cowboy Prayer." Swayze, 57, died from pancreatic cancer on Sept. 14. ...

Recession deal of the week: $2 glasses of Moet & Chandon champagne at Rhumbar (Mirage) from 5-8 p.m. on Mondays for ladies with valid Nevada identification. ...

Yet another local connection to Simon Cowell's 50th birthday party in London last weekend: Allie of "Peepshow." She's the blindfolded blonde stunner who rides the trapeze saddle during the song "Pony." ...

Meadows School graduate Megan Riordan has taken her one-woman "Luck" play to off-Broadway. Her father, Max Rubin, is well known for his book on comps. Megan has asked her parents not to see it because, according to reviews, it goes into why her "advantage play" -- involving family members -- got banned from Mandalay Bay.

SIGHTINGS

Golfer Tommy Armour III, celebrating his 50th birthday at the Nico Santucci's Parisian Palace with 150 friends. Attendees included Wayne and Janet Gretzky, fellow golfer Pat Perez, and Trent Othick, producer of Chazz Palminteri's "A Bronx Tale," which opened this week at The Venetian. ... Mayor Oscar Goodman, his wife, Carolyn, and friends, at Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza at Town Square on Thursday. Rumor has it that the Oscar Goodman Pizza might be making an appearance on the menu as early as next week.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Congress is now considering giving $500 to every baby born in the United States. They want to promote savings. So $500 is given to every baby at birth. And it's a thousand dollars if it turns out your congressman is your baby's father." -- Jay Leno

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.