Oscar Goodman’s favorite editor is pouring over his latest book, proofreading not just for grammar and punctuation, but for content and context.
“What’s more encouraging, every three seconds, I hear a giggle,” Goodman said Sunday afternoon as he celebrated his 87th birthday in Las Vegas.
The laughs are from Goodman’s wife, Carolyn Goodman, who is taking on that first read of Goodman’s next tome. The project is 10 months in the making and due for release in March. The Goodmans of course were mayors of Las Vegas for a quarter-century, Oscar’s terms from 1999-2011 and Carolyn’s running from 2011-2024.
The book’s title and publisher are to be announced. But expect material that has not been filtered, as Goodman dives back into his “Mob Lawyer” era in Las Vegas.
“This will be very a humorous read. I am getting back into my relationships with clients, with (longtime Sheriff) Ralph Lamb,” Goodman said. “It’s a funny and also serious opportunity to tell everybody what I thought of the FBI’s tactics, and the judges who were complicit with them.”
Goodman battled law enforcement throughout his career as a defense attorney, representing such nefarious characters as Tony Spilotro, Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal, Jimmy Chagra, Nicky Scarfo, Meyer Lansky, “Fat Herbie” Blitzstein, Phil Leonetti and Nick Civella,
Goodman’s description of the release sounds like a distilled version of his Oscar Dinner Series talks at the Plaza. All those tales are being collected in a single book. And there are no Dinner Series events on the books at Oscar’s Steakhouse.
Goodman says he is “cleaning my conscious” in this effort, which follows his 2013 memoir, “Being Oscar: From Mob Lawyer to Mayor of Las Vegas,” co-written by author and Mafia expert George Anastasia.
“I’m holding nothing back,” Goodman said. “I’m leaving with a clean spirit.”
Goodman otherwise spent his birthday weekend having dinner Saturday with his family at Lotus of Siam’s recently reopened location at Historic Commercial Center. He spent much of Sunday fielding calls from friends and well-wishers.
“If they can’t get through to me, they call Carolyn,” Goodman said. “I’m having a great day and a great life. I have a better life than anyone I know.”
Cool Hang Alert
Staying in the Mob genre, Coco & The Sidecars play the Underground at The Mob Museum on Friday night. Malia Rae is Aug. 1, Sandy and The Nightcaps starring Sandy Knights on Aug. 2. Shows run 8 p.m.-midnight Fridays and Saturdays, 7 p.m.-11 p.m. Sundays. Ages 21-over, no cover but pick up the password for entry at themobmuseum.org.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.