Geno Munari - The Dunes Hotel and Casino The Mob The Connections The Stories

S pecial thanks to Doresa Banning for editing and consulting.

My appreciation to the following for the help, cooperation, leads, interviews, stories, sources, and encouragement to write this book:

Frederic Apcar II, Kimberly Anderson, Autumn Burns, Lem Banker, Rudy Bachman, Tony Braica, Dick Brewer, Earl Brookner, Brian Burton, Christy Burton, Ruben Cabanas, Myron Caplan, Mike Christ, Fran Croysdill, Larry Croysdill, Pat Czajkowski, Deanna DeMatteo, Jimmy Lou Diadone, John Doe(s), Cary Duckworth, Murray Erhenberg, Natacha Faillers, Stuart Feldman, Bruce Fisher, Ray Goldsberry, Danielle Gomes, Oscar Goodman, Jefferson Graham, Morrie Jaeger, Gary Jenkins, Ali Jobe, George Joseph, Dean Harrold, Clarence Hashagen, Paul Herbst, Eda Schivo Herman, Don Hesskamp, Phil Hevener, Leigh Hilt, Gary Jenkins, Harley Kaufman, Joe Kello, Ken Khoury, Gene Kilroy, Duane Krohn, Steve Lake, Michael Landy, Berri Lee, Andrea Lopez, Gary Magnesen, Roger Mennie, John Meier, Denise Miller, Judith Miller, Jack (John) Miller, Bob Miller, Ross Miller, Dan Moldea, Vince Montalto, Tony Montana, Liz Moore, William Ouseley, Nevada Gaming Commission, Nevada Gaming Control Board, Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau, Nevada State Library, Burt Perelman, Dr. Arthur Quasha, Paul Reyes, John Ritsko, Arolyn Rohac, Rick Ross, Paul Rowe, Artie Selman, Mike Soskin, Lenny Stelly, George Swarts, Dom Taglialatella, Bill & Kay Thompson, Glen Treadwell, Roger Troundy, UNLV Special Collections, Special Collections University of Nevada, Reno, Philip Varricchio, Bob Vigil, Barney Vinson, Blake Whiteside, Glenn E. Wichinsky, Oscar Williams, Christy Whitbeck, Forrest Woody Woodward, Dan Wyman, and Dave Wyman.

Table of Contents

T he Dunes was more than just a hotel-casino; it was a magical place that held every conceivable amenity a guest could desire. It was also this writers two-time former employer, which I hold dear to my heart. It was a remarkable place to work, and the stepping stone to my lifes journey and that for many other employees. It was a memorable workplace where I earned my doctorate in real life. I wish I could go back in time and do it again. I am so thankful for the education.

There were eight major management combines that operated the Dunes Hotel during its existence. The operators all were showmen and literally geniuses in their endeavors to please their guests. These hospitality and gaming pioneers deserve to be remembered for their monumental contribution to Las Vegas. They were real gamblers, not penny ante pencil pushers. They had good common sense and fine-tuned the operation without the aid of computers and social media tools. They had hearts of gold and never turned away someone who was down on their luck. They created a flagship property coined the Miracle in the Desert and the Miracle Mile. It was THE place to gamble and have a great time. There will never be another hotel as great as the Dunes Hotel & Country Club was when these operators had control of the property.

Charles J. Rich, George Duckworth, Sidney Sid Wyman, Howard Howie Engel, Dave Butch Goldstein, James Jake Gottlieb, Major Riddle, Robert Bob Rice, Bill Miller, Morris Shenker, and many others, including the numerous fine, hard-working employees, were part of a special brotherhood at this charmed resort.

The intent behind this book is to record the history that would be lost forever if not memorialized. It spans from the Dunes inception to the final implosion of the fabled gaming mecca. For this project, I researched the subject exhaustively and created a story timeline that took nearly three years to complete. Its a story of good and bad, fierce loyalty and bitter betrayal, underhanded scheming and swindling, and much more.

The Dunes operation was a spectrum of information that is intricate and mysterious at times, protected by a shroud of secrecy and intrigue that is virtually impossible for the outsider to decipher. It featured different operators and characters who, at various times in the history of the hotel, were involved in a multitude of revenue-generating ventures, including gambling, bookmaking, real estate investment, and many other business arrangements. Exploring each of these avenues elicits a unique story of interesting characters that interacted in ways that have been described here as thoroughly as possible. Many are impossible to figure out to exacting detail, so I have at times used theories and literary license in explaining them.

A number of incidents described in this book I experienced firsthand, so I wrote them as anecdotes, in the first person point of view. As for other occurrences which are factual, I summarized and wrote in the third person. I have taken this approach so readers may understand this record in the appropriate context intended.

Because I was a Dunes employee and a confidant of the powers that were, I wrestled with whether or not to tell this story for several reasons.

The pros and cons are many concerning whether the true story should be told. Considering the arguments which could be made, one deliberation revolved around whether another writer was working on the true Dunes story. There might be one competitor: Morris Arthur Shenker. He once asked me to write a book about his father, Morris Shenker. Had I written that book, I would have told the story truthfully and reported the facts accurately. I believe Arthur would not have accepted my final product. All references in this Dunes book, unless otherwise indicated, refer to Morris Shenker, Sr.

Also, I did not want to run the risk of betraying my mentors in any manner or be viewed by scholars, the curious, co-workers and/or friends as a disloyal whistleblower. I didnt then, and dont now judge my former bosses and co-workers for their actions, which werent my business. Laissez-faire!

I struggled through many long days and nights with the possibility that my good friends, who had entrusted me with key information, and my confidential sources might think that Id betrayed them in telling the true story of the Dunes and Las Vegas. Ultimately, I concluded that writing the book was not betraying any secret oath. They had given me the information willingly; I had not obtained it via surveillance, eavesdropping, or any other sneaky or nefarious methods. I simply asked them directly about certain events and topics. They wanted me to know and get the record correct. In the process, I realized that their stories should be told.