War on the mob veterans remembered in photo dedication

Although his name is largely lost to history, Elmer Irey was one of the war on the mob's all-time good guys.

Irey led the Treasury's fight against "Scarface" Al Capone and eventually brought down America's most notorious gangster with a crew of studious accountant types. Nailed for tax evasion, Capone was convicted in 1931 and sentenced to 11 years in prison.

On Thursday morning, a new generation of revenue agents gathered downtown at the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement to dedicate a "then and now" photo to the white hat's side of the Mob Museum. The 1931 version of the group photo includes President Herbert Hoover and Irey standing front and center.

Technology has improved mightily since the days Irey and his revenue boys were analyzing Capone's personal income and comparing it with his expenses. But the spirit of the game is the same, Las Vegas IRS Special Agent in Charge Paul Camacho says.

"The way we followed the money then is the way we follow the money now," Camacho says. "... What we really do well is follow the money."

Although Camacho calls IRS Criminal a "special teams unit," it's clearly a busy one. IRS investigators quietly take part in numerous federal and local cases.

GAMBLING BOSS: In Steve Bertoni's cover story on Macau gambling king Sheldon Adelson in the latest issue of Forbes, he makes it clear the casino billionaire believes former Las Vegas Sands executives William Weidner and Bradley Stone hurt the company.

Writes Bertoni, "Adelson, a classic control freak -- he even videotaped our interviews, ostensibly for 'his archives' -- now blames that team for putting Sands in financial peril."

The magazine also has a sidebar feature on the other big Vegas gambler in Macau, Steve Wynn, and includes a photo of an uncomfortable-looking trio: Adelson, GOP presidential dreamer Newt Gingrich and local Republican firebrand George Harris.

BIG LEAGUE DREAMS: Fox Sports Southwest will carry Big League Weekend games between the Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs from Cashman Field. It's as close to the big leagues as Las Vegans will get without leaving town for years to come.

Remember when we had the opportunity for spring training sites for multiple Major League teams?

FAREWELL, JACKIE: Professional card playing lost one of its greatest characters with the death of "Little Jackie" Newton. He was a great storyteller who could regale you with tales of playing for high stakes from here to crossroads towns, on cruise ships and throughout Europe. A collection of his stories is called "Gentleman Jack Newton: Confessions of a Crossroads Gambler."

Newton rarely met a deck of cards he didn't like and couldn't master.

RACHEL'S KITCHEN: The good cooks at Rachel's Kitchen in The District in Henderson are set to serve their second annual head-shaving event to benefit the St. Baldrick's Foundation, which funds more grants for childhood cancer treatment and research than any other nonprofit in the nation. It's set for 3 p.m. with plentiful food and drink specials.

KLIP IT: The latest buzz to hit Las Vegas is Klip It For Kidz, the annual head-shaving fundraiser to benefit the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation's more than 40 service programs. The event is set for 10 a.m. April 14 at Town Square. Information: Nvccf.org.

BIG LIFT: Faith Lutheran High student Alex Giuliani isn't the biggest man on campus, but he's surely one of the strongest. The 15-year-old recently shattered the state record for his age and weight in the deadlift with a heft of 429 pounds. Giuliani qualified for the world competition, which this year is set for Nov. 13 at Bally's.

ON THE BOULEVARD: Why would the press be prevented from standing in the hallway outside the federal grand jury proceeding in the investigation of Nevada powerbroker and lobbyist Harvey Whittemore? Perhaps because reporters might easily recognize those subpoenaed to testify.

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