LAS VEGAS -- A central figure in the biggest political corruption scandal of the past 50 years is finally talking. Former Clark County Commissioner Lance Malone went to prison in 2006 for his role in a conspiracy known as G Sting, in which a millionaire strip club owner paid off officials in Las Vegas and San Diego in cash and sexual favors.
The former cop-turned County Commissioner was a middle-man in the G Sting caper, yet he served the longest sentence -- even longer than the elected officials who sold their offices for money and sex.
Malone surprised everyone by refusing to give testimony about anyone else in the case, though most assumed he would be the first to fold. Now, he's doing all that we ask our ex-con's to do -- work hard, stay out of trouble, rebuild your life. You could also say he is providing a public service -- a service to our appetites.
The Whereabouts of G-Sting Players
If Forrest Gump's life was unpredictable, like a box of chocolates, then maybe Lance Malone's is a metaphorical pizza.
Malone admits, during the bad old days, he was the guy who made the dough, literally and figuratively. He wrote his own recipe, picked out the meats and cheeses, and knows it is his own fault that such a wicked combination proved too tempting for the FBI, which sent Malone and his associates to a deep dark hole. By the time the door opened four years later, Malone was cooked.
"It is what it is. I made the decisions that I've made and it's time to move on," he said.
If Malone is bitter, he sure doesn't show it. During an interview with 8 News NOW, he had multiple opportunities to unload on former associates -- judges, prosecutors, building, inspectors and the three Clark County Commissioners who, like Malone, went to prison -- or his former boss and good friend Mike Galardi. The multi-millionaire strip club owner who approved cash bribes and sexual favors from exotic dancers to keep public officials in two states happy
"I have no idea where they are or what they are up to," he said. "I hope they are doing well, but I'm just focusing on my two boys and my family and trying to make a living."
Since his release in February, Malone has taken whatever work came his way -- parking cars and driving a limo. Money-wise, both are worlds away from the strip clubs that raked in hundreds of thousands in cash every week.
But Malone says he is much happier working 15 hour days for no salary at Pop's Pizza, a brand new upscale pizzeria in a choice spot on Las Vegas Boulevard, across from Mandalay Bay.
"I never thought that I would be in the pizza industry, but I really, really enjoy it. It's been a great learning experience for me," he said.
Malone's Irish ancestry might make you wonder about the quality of his pies, but he has a secret weapon -- a partner named Dominic Gentile, whose ancestors do know pizza.
Gentile is more than a culinary advisor, though. He's the lawyer who spent years defending Malone in two public corruption indictments. During the heat of those legal battles, a friendship was forged. Gentile told Malone he would stake him to something when he got out.
"Without him, I wouldn't be here. He has been a huge asset to me, not only to getting my life back together again, but giving me the support and confidence that I could do it," said Malone.
The two unlikely partners considered Mexican food for a time, but when they realized there is no pizza competition in the area around Pop's, the decision was easy. Gentile sent Malone to learn from pizza legend John Arena, one of the masterminds behind Metro Pizza, considered by food critics to be among the best pizza anywhere.
"It's really in the crust. The crust is a crunchy crust. It's a thin crust -- New York-style crust and the sauce is a little sweeter than you find in other places. I think that sets us apart," said Malone.
Malone says he personally makes the dough, a process he compares to advanced chemistry. He also scrubs the floors, orders the pepperoni, hires and fires. He says he loves it and is already thinking about expanding.
If you truly believe ex cons deserve a second chance, Malone could be the poster child.
"Being away, it was a difficult time for me. Then you just realize it's time to move on and not harbor any ill will toward anybody and just see what the next 10 years has in store for me," he said.
Although Malone did not spill any beans about others who were peripheral to G Sting, he says there are many parts of the story that have yet to be told and that he is working on a book about that chapter of his life, which is probably enough to send all kinds of people to the store for Pepto Bismol.
By the way, his pizza is excellent.
