Guilty, Guilty, Guilty!

By Brent Kenton Jordan
Penny Press Contributing Editor

Editor’s Note:  Brent Kenton Jordan is the author of a book, Stripped, detailing his real life experience as a bouncer at the very Las Vegas topless club in the center of the G-Sting investigation, Cheetahs. 

San Diego Mayor Pro Tempore Michael Zucchet: Guilty.

San Diego City Councilman Ralph Inzunza: Guilty

Our very own Lance Malone: Guilty

Gee, no kidding.

The verdicts handed down by a Federal jury in the San Diego portion of the Operation G-sting political corruption trial this week, come as no surprise to the readers of the Penny Press, or those who took a moment to listen to the FBI audio tapes (the same tapes the jury heard) available at www.lasvegascrooks.com, or even to those who have read my book, Stripped.

What may catch some by surprise is the seriousness of the charges; conspiracy, extortion and wire fraud; and the gravity of the potential sentences.

Combined, these crimes could carry more prison time than a murder conviction.

If this comes as a surprise, it should also come as a relief: At least in this case, we may be spared the typical slap on the wrist politicians have come to expect when caught betraying the trust of their constituents.

The sentencing for the convicted isn’t until November (barring a successful appeal: I love our justice system), but already there is talk of three and a half to eight years in Federal lockup for pretty-boy, former cop, Lance Malone.

Remember, that doesn’t include whatever happens in the Las Vegas portion of the trial.

That brings us to our next series of questions:

What effect will the guilty verdicts in San Diego have on the indicted politicians in Las Vegas?

It seems to me the Las Vegas case against the politicians is much stronger than the San Diego case. The jury pool in Las Vegas would seem to be more pragmatic about political corruption than our bleeding-heart sister-city to the west. And no potential jury can help but be influenced by the guilty verdicts already handed down in the recent trial.

What about those “persons of interest” indicated by the FBI (some of whom I talk about in my book) who have not been indicted?

There is a long list of FBI “persons of interest,” including politicians, their spouses, judges, lawyers.... Now that the FBI has had a slam dunk in their case, will it encourage them to go after these “interesting persons?”

Are FBI phones ringing off the hook with current and former politicians looking to cut deals before it’s too late?

I am no lawyer, about the furthest thing from it, thank you, but it would seem to me that if Mike Galardi was bribing people, and at least one politician (three if you count San Diego) was taking those bribes, someone was delivering those bribes. If I were an accused bagman, I think I would seriously consider how that looks.

Will the politicians continue to maintain their innocence?

Even political scientists have trouble distinguishing between a “legitimate” campaign contribution, and a bribe.

The jury will not be made up of political scientists. It will be made up of laymen, working stiffs, who are sick and tired of dirty politicians.
The accused politicians should consider that before spending taxpayer money on a trial, and further embarrassing our city (if that’s possible).
Of the Las Vegas indicted, Erin Kenny is the only one who has admitted she accepted bribes from Michael Galardi. This very well could make her the most honest and forthcoming of the group: And if you don’t think that’s a sad comment on our local politicians, spend some time looking at Kenny’s record in office.

Of course, being more honest and forthright than these politicians isn’t much of a claim, I guess. Even Galardi himself can make that claim.
Mike Galardi is a crook, no doubt, but he never once attempted to hide what he was doing.

Long before the FBI took interest in Galardi’s connection to the local politicians, the pay envelopes, that read like a city council, or county commission roll call, lay in the wide open safe in the office for anyone and everyone to see.

As a matter of fact, Mike Galardi would often, alternately, brag and complain about the politicians he had under his thumb, and those who were continually asking for more.

When the FBI kicked down Galardi’s door, he never tried to lie about what he had done. Not for a minute did he hide behind a team of lawyers. He simply threw his hands in the air and said, you got me.
A felonious strip club owner being more honest and forthcoming in his involvement in this mess, than elected city officials, is a very sad comment on what our political system has become.

It is also something, some in the press should consider while making their attacks against Galardi.

If I sound disgusted, it’s because I am.

As a Cheetahs Topless Club bouncer, it was in my job description to deal with these politicians. They were simply another annoyance in a job full of annoyances.

I didn’t vote for any of them (are you kidding?!), so they didn’t owe me anything, and I couldn’t expect much from them.

I knew what they were like in the club, so the illicit activities they have been accused of didn’t shock or surprise me even a little.

I am disgusted because many of you––good, trusting, hardworking Americans––did vote for them. You did trust them. The politicians did owe you something for your support: They were supposed to be working for you, and they let you down...alledgedly.

As much as has been written and discussed about this case, I still have more questions than answers:

If Mike Galardi confessed to bribing our city politicians, and Erin Kenny, has admitted to accepting those bribes, what possible defense could the remaining politicians mount?

What will the FBI ultimately do with Mike Galardi, their star witness? Of all the things I could call Mike Galardi, “innocent” is not one of them. He has admitted his guilt, but he has also helped the Government convict corrupt politicians without having a set deal for himself: He could still get several years in prison for his crimes if the government sees fit.

I won’t defend Mike Galardi, but his crimes don’t seem on the level with others the Feds have a habit of forgiving without any serious time served (e.g.. their undercover snitch, Tony Montagna). What is to be the fate of Mike Galardi now that he has proven himself as a reliable and effective government witness?

And something that’s been bugging me since he claimed his innocence: How is it that Lance Malone can afford such an expensive legal defense?

Stay tuned.