Las Vegas NowLas Vegas Mayor Faces Possible Ethics Violations

Las Vegas Mayor Faces Possible Ethics Violations

(April 2) -- Mayor Oscar Goodman is going to have to appear before the state ethics panel to answer questions about possible ethics violations.

The decision was released late Friday afternoon. The inquiry into Goodman's possible ethics violation all began with a cocktail party in Washington D.C.

A company owned by Goodman's son hosted the party in 2002. The complaint alleges that Mayor Goodman violated the law by using his position as mayor to give privileges to his son.

The complaint says, "It is alleged he did this by acting as a host for a cocktail party paid for by a company owned by his son; allowing his mayoral title to be used on the invitation for the party; personally handing out invitations for the cocktail party; appearing as the featured politician on the CD distributed by his son's business; personally promoting his son's business at the cocktail party to other mayor's."

Stacy Jennings, the executive director of the State Ethics Commission, then expanded her investigation and uncovered other possible violations. The first includes the mayor's acceptance of the use a 2003 Cadillac Seville from Cadillac of Las Vegas. The mayor says it was a loan, not a gift.

Another ethics issue stems from the Mayor's $100,000 dollar contract with Bombay Sapphire Gin. The mayor donated all of the money, however $50,000 was donated to the Meadows School, in which his wife is the founder and president. Stacy Jennings believes there may be a violation there.

There are also questions surrounding the mayor's involvement in an online contest. The winner would be able to re-name a street in Las Vegas.

In all there are eight possible state ethics violations. After conducting her investigation, Jennings believes there is enough evidence to hold an official hearing.