Ethics watchdog Robert Rose passed away this morning

Robert Rose, 83, passed away this morning. He was best known for his successful efforts to encourage political officer holders to act in an ethical manner.

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Mr. Rose often appeared before the Nevada Commission on Ethics and the City of Las Vegas Ethics Board airing complaints against wayward public officials. Two of Rose's most controversial complaints involved Las Vegas Mayor, Oscar Goodman, and Las Vegas City Councilman, Michael McDonald. In February 2004, Robert Rose filed a complaint with the Nevada Commission on Ethics claiming that during the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Goodman handed out to fellow mayors, conference attendees and other political figures invitations to a cocktail party Goodman was hosting. Rose alleged that this was nothing more than the mayor abusing his power of office to help promote a business that is owned by his son, Ross Goodman, and Las Vegas Councilman Michael Mack. The Nevada Ethics Commission opened an investigation on April 14, 2004, and on May 13, 2004, the members of the commission found the mayor in ethics violations, although no fine was rendered. Goodman sued the commission and won. The ruling was reversed by the court. On September 16, 2004, Rose again filed a complaint with the Nevada Commission on Ethics, this time asking the commission to clarify Goodman's affiliation with his son Ross's law firm. In a statement, the mayor explained his name on the letterhead is a way of informing out of state law firms that Ross Goodman is his son. However, a person serving as an elected public official in Nevada may not have his name listed on a law firm letterhead, and Goodman removed his name under protest after several newspaper articles noted the infraction. Robert Rose was a veteran of the United States Air Force. He is survived by his wife, Mary. SM ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sep. 28, 2005 Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal Ethics complaint filed against Goodman Critics say mayor violated law by voting on matters affecting former criminal defense client Billy Walters By Ed Vogel REVIEW-JOURNAL CAPITAL BUREAU CARSON CITY -- Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman has been hit with another ethics complaint over his involvement in issues affecting Southern Nevada golf course owner Bill Walters. Two long-time critics of the mayor, Bob Rose and former City Councilman Steve Miller, filed the complaint Monday with the state Ethics Commission. Full Story: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ethics Commission takes jurisdiction over latest Goodman complaint In 1991, I had the honor of authoring the law that Mayor Goodman continues to break in his efforts to do favors for Rick Rizzolo and Billy Walters. My colleague Robert Rose and I in 2005 filed a separate complaint against Goodman in regard to Walters. That complaint has yet to be acted on, but Goodman has pledged to help Walters steal 160 acres of once-public land for pennies on the dollar after the new Attorney General is sworn in January 2. Several years ago, Mr. Rose aroused Goodman's anger when he filed a complaint against the Mayor for using his official title to do favors for his son. This Review-Journal photograph by Cariño Casas depicts Goodman's anger when the same Ethics Commission took jurisdiction over Mr. Rose's complaint. Goodman stated, "If anybody tells me I can't help my son, who I love, they can drop dead," referring to Mr. Rose. The Commission later found Goodman guilty of violating the state ethics law. - SM ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vegas Mayor Embroiled in Another Controversy Elder Abuse Being Alleged They felt this was a helpless woman, a confused woman. -- Attorney Ted Cohen LAS VEGAS Mayor Oscar Goodman kisses his son Ross after leaving the state Ethics Commission hearing. Goodman broke ethics rules by using his office to promote his son's business, the panel said. SAM MORRIS / LAS VEGAS SUN INSIDE VEGAS by Steve Miller AmericanMafia.com September 13, 2004 Following the Ethics Commission ruling when asked if he would continue using his Mayoral title to help his son make money, Goodman defiantly said, "I would do it again." "If I felt I did something wrong, I wouldn't have done it," he said. "I'd do it tomorrow. If I can't help my son, who can I help?" "If anybody tells me I can't help my son, who I love, they can drop dead!" This bravado did not go over well with the staid Commissioners who would probably love to get a second bite of this apple, or with 77 year old Mr. Rose who felt the "drop dead" remark was used in reference to him. (Possibly another example of elder abuse?) During the week of September 13, Mr. Rose says he plans to file a new ethics complaint, this one regarding the Mayor's name being improperly used to allegedly try to intimidate a senior citizen. Full Column: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Miller, Rose file ethics complaint against Goodman Dan Kulin LAS VEGAS SUN Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2005 Former Las Vegas Councilman Steve Miller and retiree Robert Rose filed a complaint Monday with the state Ethics Commission alleging the mayor broke the law by not disclosing his past ties to developer Billy Walters. Full Story ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BEFORE THE NEVADA COMMISSION ON ETHICS IN THE MATTER OF THE REQUEST FOR OPINION CONCERNING THE CONDUCT OF MICHAEL J. McDONALD, Las Vegas City Councilman This matter came before six members[1] of the Nevada Commission on Ethics (hereinafter "Commission") for hearing on Thursday, February 15, 2001, pursuant to a Request for Opinion submitted in proper form to the Commission by Robert Rose on August 28, 2000, and a written panel determination entered November 13, 2000, finding just and sufficient cause for the Commission to render an opinion in this matter on two issues: Full Story