Vol. 3, No. 2
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November 15, 2005
Nevada's Online State News Journal
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CRIMINAL DEFENSE |
COPYWRITING
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Like Rats Leaving A Sinking Ship: Herrera And Kincaid-Chauncey Denied Severance
Will Face Trial With Previously Convicted Former Commissioner Lance Malone
The federal corruption trial involving current and past Clark County Commissioners is coming closer, and like those rats mentioned above, no one wants to be associated with former commissioner Lance Malone. Malone, a retired police officer, was recently found guilty of charges in San Diego, California stemming from attempts to bribe public officials. He has been sentenced to three years in prison for his actions.
Former commissioner Dario Herrera was the most recent to try and separate his trial from that of Malone, but the feds have filed a motion asking the judge to deny Herrera's motion. Former commissioner Mary Kincaid-Chauncey is also looking for separation of her trial from that of Malone.
According to papers filed with the court, the prosecution plans to prove that Lance Malone, acting as the bagman, bought favors from the commissioners on behalf of another convicted criminal, Michael Galardi. Galardi, a member of southern Nevada's $kindustry, was also trying to buy favors from San Diego city council members with Malone making the monetary offers.
During Malone's San Diego sentencing on November 10, and with tears in his eyes, he told the judge, "It wasn't my intent to break the law."
The upcoming Las Vegas trial involves supposed payments by Galardi through Malone to buy favorable votes for Galardi's businesses. In the San Diego corruption trial, Galardi pleaded guilty and in turn testified against his alleged bagman. Malone and two council members were found guilty. A third San Diego Councilman died before trial began.
The Nevada charges are very similar and prosecution believes that hundreds of thousands of dollars may have changed hands over a period of time. The case will be heard before federal District Judge Larry Hicks.
The federal investigation became public in 2003 and involves Galardi, Malone, Herrera, Kincaid-Chauncey, and former commissioner Erin Kenny. Kenny has pleaded guilty in the affair and has been cooperating with investigators. Federal officials believe Kenny may have received more than $200,000 from Galardi and Malone. Galardi pleaded guilty in San Diego and helped with the prosecution but there haven't been any reports of him laying the guilty card out in this trial.
There have been several raids by the FBI and other federal investigators concerning Galardi properties in Nevada and California. Another federal investigation that has been ongoing concerns another of Las Vegas's $kindustry porn houses, the Crazy Horse Too and its reputed mob associates owner Rick Rizzolo. Whether or not the two investigations are connected isn't known at this time. The Crazy Horse Too investigation involves political corruption and racketeering.
Federal investigators have released information in Chicago that Rizzolo has deep connections in the international crime mobs and families. Besides Rizzolo, several people in his employ are also under federal scrutiny at this time including a shift boss named Robert D'Apice who is under indictment.
Rizzolo and Galardi, although in the same business have been at odds in the past. According to some it was Rizzolo's information to officials that led to Galardi losing his license at a couple of Las Vegas topless joints. Rizzolo himself is now under investigation for not informing the city that he pleaded guilty in 1985 to battery for a baseball bat attack on a patron. The patron died later from brain damage. The information on Rizzolo's criminal past was made public in an article published by the Orange County Register.
It was allegations of violence and criminal activity that led to Galardi losing his license. Federal racketeering and corruption investigations continue.
Former county commissioner Erin Kenny reportedly tried to hide almost a quarter million dollars in an offshore account. Some investigators believe the money originated with Galardi while others believe it came from land developers in the Las Vegas Valley. Kenny as mentioned is helping the prosecution in the upcoming corruption trial.
With criminal complaints already handed down as far as racketeering and corruption emanating from the Crazy Horse Too, it seems strange that no local efforts are known to be taking place as was done in the Treasures and Cheetahs closures and fines.
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