Claiborne story has future in film
A new book about controversial federal judge Harry Claiborne may be heading for the big screen.
Former Las Vegan Merv Adelson, co-founder of Lorimar Television and now an executive adviser to Warner Brothers, has optioned "Lies Within Lies: The Betrayal of Nevada Judge Harry Claiborne," for a feature film.
The book was authored by Michael Vernetti, a former Review-Journal reporter, and published by Stephens Press, a sister company of the Review-Journal.
Claiborne was the first sitting federal judge in U.S. history to be imprisoned for a crime committed while on the bench.
He was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives on July 22, 1986, on two charges of tax evasion and one charge of bringing disrepute to the federal judiciary. Three months later, he was convicted by the U.S. Senate and removed from office.
He committed suicide in 2004 at the age of 86 while battling health issues.
During his legal skirmishes, he was defended by future Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman.
A panel discussion on Claiborne's life is scheduled for 7 tonight at the Clark County Library on Flamingo. The panel will include Vernetti, Las Vegas editor Geoff Schumacher and historian Michael Green.
FRIENDS OF 'BUBBLES'
Hours after last Saturday's memorial for Rao's/Crazy Horse Too host Robert "Bubbles" Ubriaco, several of his friends decided to launch a charity in his name.
Rao's regular Ed Henry, CNN's senior White House correspondent, said it will be known as The Bubbles Foundation.
It will be dedicated to feeding the hungry and helping at-risk youth.
Henry will serve on the foundation board with Rao's co-owners Frank Pellegrino Sr. and Frank Pellegrino Jr.
An e-mail address, bubblescharity@yahoo.com was set up, said Henry, so people can e-mail their remembrances and e-mail pledges or provide contact information "so we can let people know about a big event we're planning to honor his memory."
Speakers at his tribute ranged from his cabdriver, a professional gambler, comedian Bobby Slayton to Henry, who said Las Vegas not only lost one of its "most colorful characters -- it lost one of its most caring characters too."
Ubriaco, 65, died Feb. 10.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
A sound system glitch shut down Celine Dion's Tuesday rehearsal, the second of four shows leading up to the March 15 opening at Caesars Palace. Sound was restored in The Colosseum about 40 minutes later. The final warm-up on Saturday is Keep Memory Alive night, a giveaway for many of the 1,200 who attended the Keep Memory Alive: Power of Love benefit gala Feb. 26 at the Bellagio.
Tempers flared last week during an upper management meeting at KSNV-TV, Channel 3. A top executive was heard loudly saying, "I quit," and stormed out of the building but returned later after cooling off.
SIGHTINGS
Motley Crue rocker Vince Neil, partying at the Hilton and the Playboy Club (Palms). His two weeks of house arrest ended earlier in the day. His black Lamborghini bearing the license plate "TATUUD" was spotted in valet at the Hilton.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Arnold Schwarzenegger has been offered a role in a sequel to 'Terminator.' In this one, he travels back in time and kills the person that suggested he run for governor." -- Conan O'Brien
Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
