It took a while, but here it is – the first Podcast by the Pissed Off Prosecutor – the Wynn Kidnapping.
1993 – Kevyn Wynn is kidnapped. Steve Wynn, architect of the “New” Las Vegas, pays $1.45 million dollars for her release, in one of the biggest crimes in Las Vegas history.
Here is the podcast, in 6 half hour episodes. Get the inside story of the successes and failures as the FBI, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the IRS, led by the U.S. Attorneys Office, work together to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The investigation leads from Southern California to Northern California, and finally to St. Louis, Missouri; the trial reveals the tactics to which lawyers are willing to resort in a high profile case with even higher stakes.
So here are six 30 minute audio episodes about what was – arguably – the “biggest” criminal case, and trial, in Las Vegas history. The kidnapping of casino boss Steve Wynn’s daughter. He paid $1.45 million in ransom for her release.
The case was quite a challenge for a relatively new federal prosecutor – me.
However, I had the advantage of having had worked for a few years with cops in NY who were a lot tougher (and crazier) than most FBI agents. More importantly, I has been one of them myself, briefly (SCPD 3rd. Pct. Squad 12 – 1982-1984).
OK, I don’t like to brag, but in those 2 years I made about 100 arrests, got 5 commendations, was involved – sort of – in a shootout, and was sued for “brutality” by Thomas Ferry, brother of the national president of the Pagans OMG, Paul Ferry (aka “Ooch”).
The legendary Kenny Hamilton and I thereafter nicknamed Thomas “Ouch”.
The podcast is intended to be an inside look at how investigations – particularly local/fed “cooperative” endeavors – proceed.
And of course the backdrop is Las Vegas – Sin City – the Strip.
So, here is a memoir of a big time case in Las Vegas, ramrodded by the humble former 321 footman, who managed to get into all kinds of hijinks thanks to the cops he worked with – and loved – in the early 1980’s, and thereafter as an ADA.
Enjoy some Las Vegas history, and share if you think the effort worthy.
