Fraud investigation of Las Vegas police official might have legs

Who was that quietly paying a visit to the federal public defender's office earlier this week?

It was none other than Metro Lt. Ben Kim, the former head of the department's fraud detail who is now under investigation, suspected of committing fraudulent acts of his own.

Investigators aren't making public statements, but the word is Kim has started to communicate with the FBI and Metro. Now there's no telling where the trail might lead.

Kim, a decorated department veteran, is intimately familiar with the politics and business of Southern Nevada's Asian-American community. He also knows the inner workings of the Police Department. In addition, he's a key player in the ongoing investigation of possible criminal activity associated with some valley homeowners associations.

Kim has been on leave from the department, and I hear he's getting his retirement paperwork in order. His home, valued at $1.2 million, according to the Clark County assessor's office, is now in default.

Obviously, Kim has his share of problems. But he's in a position to give others even bigger problems.

Who knows where this will lead?

MIRACLE LEAGUE: DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES? THOSE WHO DROP BY THE MIRACLE LEAGUE BASEBALL FIELD AT 101 S. RANCHO DRIVE WILL SURELY BELIEVE THIS COMMUNITY HAS A HEART WHEN IT COMES TO HELPING DISABLED YOUNG PEOPLE PLAY BALL. THE SPECIALLY DESIGNED DIAMOND IS SET TO OPEN WITH A CEREMONY AT 12:30 P.M. SATURDAY. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT MIRACLELEAGUELASVEGAS.COM.

SEASON OF SHARING: Christmas Can Cure collects donations to send injured soldiers and their families on vacations. The charity's 5K and 1-mile run fundraiser is set for 8 a.m. Dec. 12 at Paseo Verde Park in Henderson. ... Meanwhile, the dedicated Marines behind the annual Toys for Tots campaign are hoping to collect 50,000 toys for needy kids this year. Drop off your donations at 3228 Channel 8 Drive through Dec. 14.

HOMELESS HOUSING: Lutheran Social Services of Nevada continues its efforts to address the homeless issue with the opening of its new building at 2656 Aarondavid Drive that will provide transitional housing at a critical time.

Mayor Oscar Goodman, no stranger to the issue and the controversy surrounding it, will speak at the opening ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

GOOD FIGHT: BARBARA BUCKLEY WON'T BE RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR, BUT SHE CONTINUES TO MAKE HER PRESENCE FELT AT THE LEGAL AID CENTER OF SOUTHERN NEVADA, WHICH THIS WEEK RECEIVED A $325,000 GRANT TO ASSIST WITH ITS CHILDREN'S ATTORNEYS PROJECT FROM THE NEVADA WOMEN'S PHILANTHROPY ORGANIZATION.

ON THE BOULEVARD: On the street, "Bobby the Midget" Krauthamer turns 82. Rest easy, little big man. You outlived Lefty. Who would have taken those odds? ... In the islands, "Ali Baba" Kaohu, who knows so much about gambling he's in Nevada's Black Book, turns 72. ... Gambler Lem Banker still taking care of the business of betting and helping out former fight champs. ... Retired casino host Allan "Jamup" Hirshorn continues his run as the unofficial mayor of Mount Charleston, where term limits are not in effect.

BOULEVARD II: I might not have a medical degree, but I cured Dr. Lonnie Hammargren's injured knee without surgery. The bad knee actually belongs to Hammargren's wife, Sandy.

BOULEVARD III: Do you suppose attorney David Chesnoff is red-faced after seeing client Dr. Mark Kabins,wisely cut a deal to cooperate with the government in the doctor-lawyer medical malpractice investigation?

BOULEVARD IV: Metro sources confirm Lt. Bob Sebby in the financial crimes section is taking a "stress-related" retirement.

BOULEVARD V: Receiving plenty of responses on both sides of this week's column on a recent raid of a local Hells Angeles clubhouse. So why are Metro investigators so interested in collecting jackets, patches, and photographs of members and associates?

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