“I’m faulted by some for representing unpopular clients, but I do so in accordance with the Constitution of the United States,” he said.
Goodman has visited Israel four times, and accompanied each of his three sons as they celebrated their bar mitzvahs at the Western Wall.
His underworld clients have included the legendary Meyer Lansky, Philadelphia’s Phil Leonetti, Chicago’s Tony “The Ant” Spilotro, Boston’s J.R. Russo and John Gotti-adviser Natale Richichi.
The mayor-elect played himself in the Martin Scorsese film “Casino” and is the subject of a recent British documentary, “Mob Law.”
Goodman’s candidacy was at first considered a stunt, but his quick wit, candor and pledge to make developers pay to revitalize the city’s downtown area propelled him to the top in a field of nine candidates.
Born in Philadelphia, Goodman moved to Las Vegas in 1964. Las Vegas has a population of 1.3 million. Its Jewish community, which has grown rapidly in recent years, numbers 65,000.
Goodman is Las Vegas’ second Jewish mayor. Ron Lurie served a decade ago.