New Border Risk: ISIS
[now Islamic State] ties to Mexican Drug Lords

PAGE 2

NAACP to host 105th
Annual National
Convention in Las Vegas

PAGE 3

Druckman v. Ruscitti: A controversial child custody opinion

PAGE 9

• July 9-15, 2014
• Volume 16, Issue 18

Ward 5 Chamber of Commerce Member

Why Lombardo? Because money talks and BS walks

By Rolando Larraz Las Vegas Tribune

makes others wonder why he keeps tors who have filled his pockets sis. ... It’s very hard for somebody begging like a homeless person.
On July 10 he is having another fund-raising, but only for the privi- paper’s reporter, Mike Blasky, with money.

Metro’s protégée and the daily reigns of that office.”

to show up day one and take the

Assistant Sheriff Joe Lombardo

is the favorite to take the place of

outgoing Sheriff Douglas Gillespie

to keep the same regime, the same policy, and, in reality, the same of everything; there would not be much of a change from the present administration except moving

Lombardo from a mid-size office

to a bigger office, now occupied by his handler.
There would be no hope that discrimination against the Spanish-

owned Las Vegas Tribune would

stop and the newspaper would once again be accepted as part of the

media in Clark County — as it was

before the present administration

under Gillespie took over — and all

because the newspaper did not en-

dorse or support any of Gillespie’s

campaigns.
He is still in Metro because it is

leged — perhaps with the same wrote on May 25 of this year, “He convenient for him and maybe his members of the Million Dollar Club (Lombardo) has been an officer boss suggested to him that there is

at a famous Italian restaurant that with Metro for 25 years, the last no need to leave if the office is his. at one time welcomed the same three as an assistant sheriff. He Who told Lombardo that his oppo-

people that Gillespie, Lombardo commanded several divisions at nent Captain Larry Burns does not

and their crew supposedly were Metro, including Homeland Secu- meet those officers on a daily bachasing.

Lombardo’s arrogance is that rity, search and rescue and patrol.” sis?

• Big deal! Every other candidate
• How hard does he think it would

obvious; eating at that Italian res- running in that race before the June be for Larry Burns to take the reigns taurant takes a month’s salary from 10 primary election has the same of that office? Not that hard; Burns a normal, average individual that or more time at Metro and has ful- has had the same office experience works for a living, the kind of indi- filled some of the same assignments and has the intelligence of coming

vidual that Lombardo does not need as Lombardo. in with the right team to take over

or want to deal with. On June 10 of this year Metro and convert the department

Assistant Sheriff Joe Lombardo

The average citizen is not going Lombardo told his protégée at the into a real police department serv-

to receive the same service or pro- daily paper, Mike Blasky, “I’m still ing the community as a whole. a million dollars on the Strip alone

and is still begging for contributions of any kind and any amount; it

tection from Lombardo’s regime as working at Metro. I’m still meet-

those wealthy casino owner-opera- ing those (officers) on a daily ba-
Burns is a street cop; when was

(See Lombardo, Page 4)

Lombardo has raised more than

Ken Pollock not a likable judge?

By Alexandra Cohen Las Vegas Tribune

tied for the lowest number of ap- challenge a good judge while other

peals in Clark County,” wrote the judges with fewer worthwhile

newspaper; and yet most important qualifications are running unopof all, the newspaper noted that posed.

My Point

On January 14 of this year, Las
Vegas Tribune’s founder, Rolando Larraz, wrote a front page article

clearly pointing out some of the qualities that normally go hand-in-

hand with the name of District Court Family Division Judge Kenneth Pollock.

of View

By Rolando Larraz

Judge Pollock has never been re-

That opened the inquiring eyes

versed by the state’s highest court. of the Las Vegas Tribune’s investi-

Saying that the Supreme Court gative team and they discovered

agrees with a judge’s ruling 91 per- that the attorneys who openly and/

cent of the time is a recognition that or privately display an antagonistic not too many judges can brag about, attitude toward, or hold a negative

especially in Family Court, which opinion of, Judge Pollock, do so

has been plagued with controver- because the judge follows the rule sial accusations of abuse of power, of law and is not intimidated by any
I am one of those people who believes in security. I believe in cameras, gates, bars on windows and recording devices for my own security and protection; and those who have been in my home know that I am not just spouting words

— I practice what I preach.
I don’t even think that security

in public places is a bad thing at all, and I have mentioned on many occasions that going through the security gate at the Regional Justice

Center doesn’t bother me, but... and

there is always a but.
I have the habit of standing by the security gate at the Regional Justice Center and talking to the marshals and attorneys coming in

and looking at the people’s faces

when they are coming in and have to start taking part of their clothes off.
Sometimes they are lucky and get good marshals; sometimes they get new marshals that try to imitate their counterparts in Metro and act rude and nasty, trying to scare those

who are coming to court — maybe

for a traffic ticket they forgot to pay, perhaps for having an argument with a neighbor or a spouse, but nothing that bad. These new mar-

shals don’t realize that not all

people entering the courthouse building are criminals and some of them are even a little nervous or scared.

“Judge Pollock’s administrative

and case management skills have helped him reach many milestones:

hearing the most motions in Fam-

ily Court; being second in the family division with the most trials and

conferences heard...,” the newspa-

per wrote.

Among those distinguished

qualities were also two facts that should allow litigants in family court peace of mind and a justified assurance that their cases will be misconduct and child brokering.
With all these noticeable and other attorney.
That opens up discussion as to identifiable qualifications evident why Judge Kenneth Pollock is not when it comes to evaluating a intimidated by any attorney; we dis-

judge’s past years on the bench, covered that Judge Pollock is a selfwhy is it that some attorneys don’t supported candidate: he puts his like him? And now, one judge in money where his mouth is.

District Court Family Division
Judge Kenneth Pollock

decided on their individual case’s

merit and merit only.

“Judge Pollock’s name has been

particular even allows her bully campaign manager to make a fool any campaign contributions; if

(See Pollock, Page 5)

Judge Pollock does not solicit

out of her by encouraging her to

Pot learning curve: Washington cribs from Colorado’s legalization rollout

Washington allowed legal sales of recreational marijuana for the first time Tuesday, taking lessons from Colorado ’ s e xperience. Pot-laced ‘edibles,’which can be especially potent, are one product getting extra attention.

By Amanda Paulson
Christian Science Monitor

The two states have been under scrutiny as they embark on test

Boulder, Colo. — Residents of cases in legalization, watched

Washington State could buy recre- closely by everyone from legalizaational marijuana legally for the tion critics to advocates pushing

first time Tuesday — though only legal marijuana in other states, in-

about six of the 24 shops issued li- cluding Oregon and Alaska. Obcenses planned to be open for the servers are keeping tabs both on first day of business. how smoothly the rollout goes, as

It’s a sharp contrast to Colorado, well as looking to the differences which legalized marijuana at the in the two states’ approaches.
“We’re watching [the legaliza-

same time as Washington (Nov. 6,
However, that is not the point of

this article; the point is that the other day while I was at my point of observation I saw something very distressful that bothered me very much.
2012), but where pot shops have tion process in Colorado and Washbeen selling the drug to recreational ington] very closely, and it’s very users since Jan. 1 of this year. Colo- useful,” says Peter Zuckerman, a rado also issued 136 licenses to sell spokesman for New Approach Orrecreational pot before that date, egon, which has helped craft a balalthough only about 40 began sell- lot measure to legalize recreational

A customer sniffs a strain of recreational marijuana at Top Shelf Cannabis on Tuesday in Bellingham, Wash., during the first half-hour of legal sales in the state. Samples are not allowed, but customers can

I saw an elderly lady walking from the gate to the dressing room (that is what I call that little space by the information booth about 50 to 75 feet from the gate where people coming in are allowed to compose themselves before going on with whatever business brought them to the courthouse or before appearing before a judge after taking their shoes off, their belts, their hairpieces and any other item be-

sides their underwear “for security”

reasons). That lady had the scariest looking feet I have ever seen: she had pimples all over her feet, her toes were pealing off and her feet looked like she was suffering from some kind of disease.

(See Maraijuana, Page 4) use ‘sniff jars’ to help make their purchasing decisions.

ing it in the first week of January.

FROM THE DESK OF GORDON MARTINES

LVMPD’S use of the words Accountability, Transparency, Honor should be forbidden

By Gordon Martines

while they were exercising their are not allowed to use the words Aid drinkers — violently ill.
Unfortunately, I was forced to First Amendment rights.

accountable, transparency, or

Since our $42 million sheriff is read the latest revelation by our $42 As I read the article, I couldn’t honor in any statement that you on his way out, I think you can million sheriff in that he intends on help but feel nauseated every time wish to vomit out to the public in pretty much expect some new conmaking Cliven Bundy become ac- I saw the word “accountable” be- your effort to persuade them to be- stitutional violations to occur to the countable and suffer the conse- ing used in any context by our es- lieve what you say. quences and penalties for not pay- teemed sheriff or anyone else in the I think it should fall under a porting the constitutional cause in
Bundy family and to all those sup-

ing his grazing fees to the BLM, and LVMPD administration. There “public health risk” category since Bunkerville. Interestingly, we don’t

for complaining about his family needs to be some kind of law that when those words are uttered by see his anointed successor, Assisand friends being “tazered” and in- states if you repeatedly lie, cover such political crooks, it instantly tant Sheriff Joe Lombardo, or even

• timidated by “contracted perched up, and ever become complicit in makes everyone hearing those the undersheriff, James Dixon,
• Right behind her was a young

(See My Point of View, Page 2)

snipers” by BLM Federal Agents, murder and malfeasance, that you words — those who are not Kool-

(See From the Desk, Page 4)

Page 2 / LAS VEGAS TRIBUNE / July 9-15, 2014

New Border Risk: ISIS [now Islamic State] ties to Mexican Drug Lords

By Andrew J. Ireland

He said there are risks to the

economy and the nation’s health.

And he warned the Iraq crisis easily could turn into a global issue.
In the Middle East, the radical jihadists in the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (Greater Syria), or ISIS, have been conquering northern portions of Iraq.

They’ve been executing, cruci-

fying and beheading as they burn through the fragile nation. They now threaten to overthrow the government of Iraq and its neighbors to build a caliphate to use as a launching pad for attacks on the U.S. and its allies.

Special to the Las Vegas Tribune

WASHINGTON — A top U.S.

Defense Department analyst under President Bush says ISIS, the Islamic jihadists creating a Muslim caliphate in Iraq and beyond, could use the Mexican border to infiltrate America, and it could happen

“sooner rather than later.”

At a time when thousands are crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally each day, the risks might never be higher, said Michael Maloof, now a senior staff writer for WND and expert on the Middle East.

(See Border Risks, Page 5)

My Point of View

lady with healthy beautiful feet vada Supreme Court, I was very dis- Center, I have another happy-sad eyes and show me the other side of with even a ring on one of her toes appointed to learn that one of the piece of news: my friend Bill Gang the story I was writing about, so it stepping on the same dirty floor best people on the staff of the Court has retired and is no longer serving could be fair and balanced without that the other lady had walked on Marshals is no longer among them, the Justices at the Nevada Supreme losing my spice and sarcastic com-

TRIBUNE

(Continued from Page 1)

Vegas Municipal Court and the Ne- going on at the Regional Justice cases he took the time to open my
VOL. 16, NO. 18

FOUNDER

Rolando Larraz

PUBLISHER
AND

• just a few seconds before.
• Sergeant Lisa Cologna gave up her Court.

• There has to be something that stripes after decades of serving the
• Bill Gang started out as a re-

ments.
I would like to join the Judiciary

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Rolando Larraz

can be done in the Regional Jus- judges, the staff of the courthouse porter for the back-then daily Las of the Eighth Judicial District Court tice Center to avoid possibly con- and doing an impeccable job of pro- Vegas Sun when the newspaper was in wishing Bill Gang the best in the taminating people’s feet from dis- tecting the citizens of Clark County run by the best in the business, future and express our sincere grati-

GENERAL MANAGER

Perly Viasmensky

• eases or pathogens carried by oth- at the Regional Justice Center.
• Hank Greenspun. Then he started tude and admiration to Bill Gang

I guess the new regime at the working for the court system going for his 14 years of service to the

ers — which can even be catego-

rized as some kind of terrorism, courthouse did not know how to ap- all the way up to the Supreme Court judicial system as a Nevada Susince terrorists are not above any- preciate the quality and the qualifi- as its communication director and preme Court Public Information

PRODUCTION

Don Snook

• thing — when people have to walk cations of Sergeant Cologna and that doing a magnificent job of it.
• Officer and his 18 years of services

• is a shame because she is one of the I have to publicly appreciate the as a journalist covering the courts.
• through there barefooted.

MANAGING EDITOR

Maramis Choufani

No, I am not kidding. I believe best if not THE best; but not to cooperation of District Court He has been an asset to the courts. that diseases are part of a terror- worry; Lisa did not hang up her gun spokesperson MaryAnn Price, who We wish Bill a long, happy, fulfillism plan that should be looked at; or lock up her uniform because now helped me to learn a little more ing retirement, during which he can at least most men wear socks and she has joined the staff of Las Ve- about some of the qualifications enjoy the things he loves and dehave less possibility of getting any gas Justice Court protecting the that made Bill Gang such a special serves, including writing.

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Colleen Lloyd

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER

Kenneth A. Wegner

sickness or disease through their judges in that institution; and if some person. feet, but what about all the sockless of those judges are smart, they will

Bill Gang’s outstanding career derstanding and appreciation of the

men and sockless women who had grab her to keep the order in their included service to the Nevada Su- courts through his well-honed skills

“Bill has contributed to the un-

For advertising rates, deadlines call 702-699-8100

to walk right behind that lady?
I am a strong believer that the

• courtroom.
• preme Court for 14 years, where he as a writer and communicator. His

I am very happy to learn that Lisa informed the public about impor- presence, professionalism, great
AIDS disease that has ended the Cologna is not retiring and that she tant issues involving the court and humor, sage wisdom and irreverent lives of so many innocent and good will now be protecting the crew at the justice system.

spirit and creativity will be missed,”

• people is not an accident, but was the Las Vegas Justice Court as well
• The Judiciary of the Eighth Ju- said the Judiciary of the Eighth Ju-

intentionally brought to the United as the judges and the staff, and I wish dicial District Court expressed sin- dicial District Court.

• States to cause terror among us.
• her lots of good luck in her new en- cere gratitude and admiration to Bill My name is Rolando Larraz, and

Please don’t take me wrong. I deavor and I hope that she does not Gang for his 14 years of service to as always, I approved this column.
DO believe in security and I feel convince her buddy, Sgt. Junior, as the judicial system as a Nevada

Rolando Larraz is Editor in

safe when I walk into the court- I nicknamed her, to follow in her Supreme Court Public Information Chief of the Las V e gas Tribune. His house building and have to pass the footsteps because they need her Officer, and his 18 years of service column appears weekly in this security gates because most of the beautiful face at the gate to help bal- as a journalist covering the courts. newspape r . To c ontact Rolando

Las Vegas Tribune is published weekly at 820 E. Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, Nevada 89104.
Main Number:
(702) 699-8100 News desk:
(702) 699-8111
Fax: (702) 696-0096
Website:
LasVegasTribune.com

marshals know me, and if I have ance out all the guys at the front to go through the safety procedures door.
I cannot claim to be in the circle Larraz,

• email
• him
• at:

of friends of Bill Gang, but I always [email protected] or

All rights reserved. Statements, opinions and points of view expressed by the writers are their own and do not necessarily represent those of the publisher. Information, including prices and times, is considered correct atthetimeofpublishingbutmay change without notice. Las Ve-

gas Tribune assumes no re-

sponsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, transparencies or other submitted materials. For return, please enclose a selfaddressed stamped envelope.
Las Vegas Tribune

everyone else does too and the building is in a much more secure safety mode. But maybe they can consider that ladies with sandals, or open shoes with no stockings, may not need to take off their shoes. If a woman must take off her high heel (or other) shoes when she has on no stockings, maybe they can offer her some kind of paper slipper to use going through.
When women wear sneakers, boots and any other shoes that usually require socks, it is a different story; then women go through the same hassle as the men do.
Also, keeping pace with what is respected his opinion and in many at (702) 699-8111.

published weekly by the Tribune Media Group

DavidA. Rifkin, Executive Vice President

This suggested policy will not only ward off anyone catching diseases through the feet, but maybe even speed the long lines at the security gate and more people would be happy to visit our wonderful Regional Justice Center.
And talking about the Regional
Justice Center, which also houses the LasVegas Justice Court and Las