Fired U.S. attorney pops quiz on Gonzales in wake of snap judgments
In this week’s episode of "Gonzo: The Alberto Gonzales Story," we learned that the fate of Nevada U.S. Attorney Daniel Bogden was sealed after a phone call lasting 90 seconds.
Not even Donald Trump fires his apprentices that quickly. The fact that Attorney General Gonzales still has his job is dumbfounding.
In Thursday’s New York Times, former New Mexico U.S. Attorney David Iglesias wrote a couple of questions for Gonzales.
"Is it ever appropriate for a member of Congress to contact a United States Attorney and, without identifying the constituent concerned, inquire about ‘sealed indictments’? Or to ask about the filing of yet-to-be filed indictments involving allegations of political corruption by members of the opposite political party?"
That wouldn’t happen here, would it?
TEST RESULTS: Some people are beginning to wonder what has become of the pending toxicology report in the fatal accident earlier this year that involved Olympic Garden topless cabaret official Aphrodite Eliades. Her 2006 Porsche reportedly was heading the wrong way near Interstate 15 on March 17 when she struck a 2002 Acura driven by 27-year-old Michael Ponzio of Las Vegas.
Ponzio was killed.
He was a 1997 Durango High graduate and received his bachelor’s degree from UNR in 2002. He was a member of the National Honor Society. His folks called him a "parent’s dream."
Now that their dream has been shattered, Ponzio’s parents deserve the closure that only a complete examination of the accident can hope to bring.
BUCKLEY BOUQUET: Dr. Robert Buckley, who died last week, will be remembered as Howard Hughes’ physician (although he never personally examined the billionaire recluse) and medical chief of University Medical Center.
I will remember him as an all-world raconteur and bon vivant who was a master of setting a scene and telling a story. He was a brilliant guy who didn’t let his intellect get in the way of telling a juicy tale over cocktails in the presence of his many friends and adoring family.
And I know a lot of former pro baseball players — he was the Las Vegas Stars’ team physician — who owe him a personal debt of gratitude.
Buckley was a great guy who had a great life and showed his family a thing or two about how to go out of this life with dignity and grace.
MEATBALL MEN: One guy writes about lounge acts. The other is a lounge act. I’m of course talking about Sun entertainment writer Jerry Fink and jack-of-all-trades media man Ira David Sternberg, who are due to be honored at the Las Vegas Meatball Awards
With proceeds benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities, Grant Griffin’s "Vintage Las Vegas" show and actual meatball tasting is set for 7 p.m. Sunday at the Imperial Palace with a lineup of recipients that reads like a "Who’s Who" of Strip entertainment history.
ON THE BOULEVARD: Toby Lamuraglia, who died this week, was an indefatigable advocate for firefighters. He was never shy about sharing his opinions with me. … Jazz keyboard man Dick Fazio’s energetic influence is being felt at Pogo’s Tavern on Decatur Boulevard. The venerable hole-in-the-wall now offers jam sessions on Wednesday and Friday nights.
BOULEVARD II: As NFL fans know, Tennessee Titans bad guy Adam "Pacman" Jones has been suspended for a year for violations of league rules — basically, for becoming a national embarrassment even before his involvement in a recent shooting during NBA All-Star week at the Minxx topless club. If it’s true, as informed sources contend, that Jones was sitting next to the shooter on the evening in question, it makes sense he would know some details that could help police locate the person directly responsible for nearly killing a club security guard. I think Jones’ cooperation in the police investigation should be mandatory before anyone at league headquarters considers his reinstatement.
Step up or pack it in, Pacman.
BOULEVARD III: Arizona Sen. John McCain, arguably the best Republican presidential hopeful in the West, was in Las Vegas on Thursday for the GOP’s Lincoln Day Dinner. He’ll return to Las Vegas for a fundraiser May 5.
Have an item for the Bard of the Boulevard? E-mail comments and contributions to Smith@reviewjournal.com or call 383-0295.