Ex-U.S. attorney’s fall unmistakable message

If ever there was an opportunity for a little creative sentencing, the case of Lawrence Semenza surely provided it.

Semenza, the former U.S. attorney here, received a 18-month sentence Wednesday in U.S. District Judge James Mahan’s courtroom for failing to pay $290,000 in taxes from 2006 to 2010. It was among the greatest falls from grace in local political history. There was a time Semenza was consummately connected and highly respected.

Semenza, 72, was the U.S. attorney from 1975 to 1977. In that time, his office prosecuted plenty of tax fraudsters.

I’m guessing he never imagined he would eventually become one himself.

The sentence fits the crime, and no one anticipated Mahan would be lenient. In fact, there’s nothing at all wrong with the sentence, and Semenza in court expressed deep regret for his conduct.

But just imagine what a great public service announcement Semenza could make in the weeks approaching the April 15 deadline. Talk about an instructive tale for those who slip from simple procrastination to outright evasion.

His story is a reminder that no one is above the law, not even for the former head of the federal prosecutor’s office.

Who knows, maybe news of his sentencing will provide an unofficial PSA.

TRAFFICKING PROGRAM: January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and Vegas PBS is playing host to a screening of “A Path Appears,” a documentary focused on the adversities facing women and girls throughout the world.

The preview is set for 6 p.m. Thursday at the Inspire Theater at 107 Las Vegas Blvd. South.

The event is free, but seating is limited. For more information, call the station at 702-799-1010 (ext. 5415) or contact Diana Morgan at dmorgan@VegasPBS.org.

DUNES MEMORIES: The once-fabulous Dunes has been gone since 1993, but its loyal former employees continue to rekindle their memories of the place with an annual reunion. It’s a reminder that, for the working people who have spent their lives here, those casinos are more than just dream factories for tourists and money printing presses for owners.

Pegg Wallace and her gang report that the 22nd annual Dunes reunion is set for 5 p.m. Wednesday at the New York City Bar & Grill, located near the corner of Spring Mountain Road and Jones Boulevard.

NO BEERS: City Councilman Bob Beers and his fellow anti-stadium signature gatherers got the shove this week from a Smith’s Food King parking lot in Summerlin. Don’t know if it’s a political statement, or management simply has a rule against people with Beers in the parking lot.

The group must gather more than 8,000 valid signatures by Jan. 24 to qualify their advisory question for the June city ballot.

ON THE BOULEVARD: “KNPR’s State of Nevada” this week landed the first interview with U.S. Sen. Harry Reid since his recent accident while exercising. Excerpts made The New York Times, The Washington Post, and ABC News. … Respected retired Nevada Supreme Court Chief Justice William Maupin has joined the Naylor & Braster Law Firm.

BOULEVARD II: Mayor Carolyn Goodman’s latest fundraiser was hosted by the powerhouse Eglet Law Group. … Now that he’s the state attorney general, Adam Paul Laxalt’s news releases use his full name. It’s hard to imagine that anyone in the state is still unaware he’s related to the other Paul Laxalt.

BOULEVARD III: Quietly effective Deborah Young, the director of scholarships and tribute giving at the UNLV Foundation, has retired after 15 years at the university. She played an essential role as liaison between donors and the foundation. … Her family and friends will miss Julie Fiorvanti’s ebullient spirit. I’ll miss her great sense of humor. She was 93. … The Rio celebrated its 25th anniversary this week. Remember when its cocktail waitress uniforms were considered cutting-edge risque?

Have an item for the Bard of the Boulevard? Email comments and contributions to Smith@reviewjournal.com or call 702-383-0295. Follow him on Twitter @jlnevadasmith.