Our ‘Strip Titans’ are up to their old, and some new, tricks

It's good to see Donald Trump finally making a name for himself in Las Vegas.

Now that the Trump International Hotel & Tower project sports its namesake sign, I see great potential in a possible reality TV series.

Call it "Strip Titans" and each week feature a different mogul in action. Steve Wynn, Sheldon Adelson, Terry Lanni, Gary Loveman, and now The Donald can be depicted as they go through their workday, boss the little people, and meet their famous friends.

And give me a short take on Bob Stupak's latest big idea.

(Maybe it's a fantasy. In my version the moguls donate the profits from the program to a charity while the town receives a big boost, and they come off looking not quite so much like the world's greediest guys.)

Better hurry, before all the characters are gone from the Boulevard.

TOUGH COMPANY: I'll speculate that the image of gambling, despite the best efforts of the industry, has taken a sizable beating recently after it was revealed NBA referee Tim Donaghy gambled on basketball games with illegal bookies. During a conversation with baseball analyst and former Las Vegas Star John Kruk on his nationally syndicated radio talk show, ESPN's Karl Ravech said "gambling and dog-fighting and steroids" in the same sentence.

Now that's tough company.

MCDONALD'S TAXES: Former City Councilman Michael McDonald's name was mentioned several times during the G-sting trials, and now it's no surprise to learn he's being targeted in a tax fraud investigation.

Could it be that someone in law enforcement is questioning the timing of one or more of his tax payments from money he derived as a "consultant" to former topless bar moguls Rick Rizzolo and Michael Galardi.

Why, yes it could.

COLD CARONA: Now the word is Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona, who has embarrassed his department by being photographed palling it up with currently incarcerated Las Vegas topless bar owner Rick Rizzolo, is threatening to sue his Southern California media critics.

Speaking of the Crazy Horse Too, I'm hearing that one of its experienced managers, Greg Lioce, got a raw deal from recent operator Michael Signorelli. The well-regarded Lioce, who made the transition from the Rizzolo era, not only lost his job, but was also misled about the authenticity of his insurance benefits after spending $1,000.

It will be interesting to see what happens if someone in authority decides to interview the workers who paid for benefits they didn't receive.

This is a place that made millions a year, and even under Signorelli's management was said to have churned a tidy profit.

So where did that money go?

CHARGES DUE: Friends of the late Michael Ponzio have wondered if the day would ever come when the woman allegedly responsible for his death would be charged in connection with the auto accident that killed him on March 17.

Now sources tell me Aphrodite Eliades is expected to face a felony reckless driving charge. Eliades' 2006 Porsche was reportedly traveling the wrong way near Interstate 15 when she struck Ponzio's 2002 Acura.

Ponzio was a 1997 Durango High graduate who received his bachelor's degree from University of Nevada, Reno in 2002.

ON THE BOULEVARD: Remember the lawsuit I wrote about last week involving accusations of medical malpractice related to the physicians' actions during the birth of a child?

It appears there's now a gag order in place in the case. ... Frank Cullotta will have to take time off from promoting his new book to testify in the ongoing "Family Secrets" mob case in Chicago. ... Meanwhile, four names have surfaced as the men responsible for murdering former Las Vegas maitre d' Emil "Mal" Vaci in 1986 in Phoenix: Joey Hansen, Nick Calabrese, Jimmy DiForti, and Paul Schiro.

BOULEVARD II: J.C. Wooloughan's Irish Pub at JW Marriott Las Vegas, a favorite place to watch my reflection in a glass of Guinness, is preparing to celebrate its eighth anniversary on Aug. 31 with a party that's not to be missed. ... Meanwhile, Sapphire Gentlemen's Club managing partner Peter Feinstein is stepping forward to attempt to help former Nevada gubernatorial candidate, political firebrand, and Hollywood producer Aaron Russo, who suffers from cancer and has been hit with a mountain of medical bills.

Have an item for the Bard of the Boulevard? E-mail comments and contributions to Smith@reviewjournal.com or call 383-0295.