Lost in Vegas: "Tony the Ant" Spilotro Circus Circus Gift Shop
When people talk about the mob in Las Vegas, they're not talking about the Circus Circus gift shop. But that’s exactly what Anthony Spilotro, a senior member of the Chicago team played by Joe Pesci in the 1995 movie Casino, did in 1975 Characters provide inspiration.
The store, located next to the circus-themed casino in the middle, is called the Anthony Stewart Store - named after his wife Nancy's maiden name. While leasing casino space to a known gangster might seem unwise, it was part of the deal that circus owner Jay Sarno was forced to make with the Teamsters.
Under pressure from then-leader Jimmy Hoffa, the union loaned Sarno $7.6 million from its pension fund in 1971 to help him build a 15-story hotel tower.
There is no theory as to why Spilotro — a man who allegedly made millions from the Mafia from Stardust, Fremont, Hacienda and Marina casinos — would want to own a casino Gift shop. However, in 1976, Spilotro opened a pawn shop called Gold Rush next to the Golden Steerhouse, which housed stolen goods from the notorious "Hole in the Wall Gang."
An offer he couldn’t refuse
Spilotro paid owner Willie Cohen $70 for the Circus Circus gift shop. When Spilotro handed the contract over to the lawyer Cohen recommended, it was the first time the mob had met the man who represented him in court during his short life and would become the mayor of Las Vegas 25 years later. people.
“Tony showed up to my office in a jacket and tie, very professional,” Goodman wrote in his 2013 autobiography, “Becoming Oscar.” "I read his documents. As far as I know, this is a legitimate transaction and the contract is being strictly enforced."
The meeting lasted only 15 minutes.
"It wasn't a big deal to me, but law enforcement was watching his every move," Goodman wrote. "That was just the beginning of my ten-year career and it felt like I was fighting for him every day."
When police notified gambling regulators, they threatened Sarno with revoking his gambling license. Sarno was forced to evict the only casino retail tenant in Las Vegas history suspected by the FBI of being involved in two dozen murders.
Of course, Sarno didn't escape unscathed. To buy back the store, he had to pay Spilotro ten times the amount ($700,000).
"This is a nice win for Tony," Goodman wrote. "For me, it was the beginning of a fascinating relationship."
"Lost Vegas" is an episodic series that highlights the forgotten history of Las Vegas.Click here to read other entries in this series. Do you think you know a Vegas story that's been lost to history? Email [email protected].
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Source: www.casino.org
