Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (June 27, 2012)
News/Bids/Classifieds Advertising deadlines 12:00 Noon Monday Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. To place your ad, email advertising@theskanner.com FBI continued from page 3 along with three business partners including Moe Dalitz, whose mob ties are the stuff of legend. Michael Newton tells Dalitz’ story in his 2009 biography, “Mr. Mob: The Life and Crimes of Moe Dalitz.” Molasky and his partners financed a hospital and later other deals with $100 million in loans from the Teamsters Union, which at the time was heavily involved with the mob. One of those developments was Rancho La Costa in San Diego County. San Diego Reader journalist, Matt Potter has researched Rancho La Costa and its developers. “In 1962, Dalitz, Molasky, Paradise, and two partners, In 1992, Molasky was given immunity from prosecution in a failed racketeering investigation Merv Adelson and Allard Roen, would snap up a total of 5000 acres outside the tiny San Diego County beach town of Carlsbad,” Potter wrote in his June 2011 article about the San Diego FBI building under the headline, “Why Would the FBI Give $223 Million to This Man?” “There, with funds loaned by the Teamsters and C. Arn- holt Smith’s US National Bank, they built Rancho La Costa, the posh resort that became synonymous with America’s mid-century wave of organized crime, murder, and political corruption.” The resort became popular with Hollywood executives and wealthy golfers. But it also catered to Allen Dorfman, the Chicago insurance executive who managed the Team- ster’s pension fund; Frank Fitzsimmons who replaced Jimmy Hoffa at the helm of the Teamsters when Hoffa went to jail; and others with links to organized crime. Meanwhile Molasky became a Hollywood executive. With Adelson, who later married anchorwoman Barbara Walters (twice), and producer Lee Rich, he formed Lori- mar productions. Lorimar made television shows such as, “The Waltons,” “Dallas” and “Knots Landing” as well as the movies “Being There” and “An Officer and a Gentle- man.” But in 1974, Penthouse wrote an expose under the headline, “La Costa: The Hundred-Million Dollar Resort with Criminal Clientele.” The story claimed that the resort was a front for organized crime. Molasky and his three partners sued Penthouse for libel, asking for more than $490 million in damages. In 1982 a jury decided in favor of Penthouse, but Judge Kenneth Gale declared a mistrial, and ordered a new trial. Accord- ing to Potter, the $25 million trial was marred by allega- tions of corruption and backroom deals, leaving both sides bruised. Three years later, the case was settled out of court. No money was exchanged, but the magazine’s owner, Bob Guccione, issued a letter saying La Costa was an out- standing resort complex and praising all of the develop- ers as civic minded philanthropists. Guccione went even further with Molasky and Adelson, saying the magazine did not mean to suggest that either man was involved with organized crime. Seven years later, in 1992, Molasky was given immuni- ty from prosecution in a failed racketeering investigation. The Las Vegas Organized Crime Strike Force was inves- tigating The Computer Group, an organized sports gam- bling ring. According to the Las Vegas Review Journal, Molasky told a grand jury only that he had placed large bets with the group, which was not illegal. Neither case seemed to hurt Molasky’s career. He went on to work closely with casino-owner Steve Wynn, and to build some of the most prestigious projects in the Las Vegas Valley, including Park Towers luxury condomini- ums, Bank of America Plaza, Bank of West and Hangar Seven at Paradise Aviation, part of McCarran Internation- al Airport. Over time, Molasky’s children entered the business, creating their own construction firms and adding to the group’s portfo- lio of companies. Steve Miller, a former Las Vegas City Council member and veteran broadcaster, writes the Inside Vegas column for Amer- icanMafia.com. He says he has known of Irwin Molasky since he arrived in Vegas as a child, and has watched Molasky progress from building country clubs and homes to specializ- ing in large government projects. “I guess he does pretty good work,” Miller says. “He seems to have a real good reputation with the government. If I was working with the FBI, I wouldn’t want to kiss them off. “I have no adverse negative dossier on him and I would hear any negatives. He’s kept his nose clean, “ Miller said. “Around here he has been Mr. Clean all of his career.” COMPUTER/IT Port of Portland seeks an Application Program- mer Analyst III to work in Portland, OR office. Responsible for the development, installa- tion, implementation, maintenance & support of information systems supporting the Port of Portland’s business activities. For further details and to apply visit: w w w. p o r to f p o r t l a n d . com. 6-27-12 GET NOTICED IN THE SKANNER Call Today for Advertising Rates 503-285-5555 SUB-BIDS REQUESTED Tacoma Water Green River Filtration Facility Project Bid Package #6: Mechanical and Fire Suppression Bid Package #7: Electrical Bids Due: July 26, 2012 at 2:00pm HOFFMAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY OF WASHINGTON Bid Phone: (206) 286-6697 Fax: (206) 286-7523 1505 Westlake Ave N, Suite 500 Seattle, WA 98109 LIC # HOFFMCC164NC We are an equal opportunity employer and request sub bids from all interested firms including disad- vantaged, minority, women, disabled veterans and emerging small business enterprises. Other Subcontracting Opportunities - Internet http://www.hoffmancorp.com 6-27-12 June 27, 2012 The Portland Skanner Page 11