In reply to an email last week, yes, I did know Joe Conforte some, through dealing to him and seeing him around town on some of his "marketing" jaunts.He would pull up in front of the club, cordovan colored Lincoln convertible, cashmere topcoat, cigar and a large bankroll. At the Primm, we always kept his favorite cigar and liquor on the back bar, just for when he came it. He spread money around.
He presented the image, perfectly, of who he was, and what he did.
He was a back line player, jumped in and out, and he was tough to beat. He was a promoter and knew how to play and work the system, and stay one step ahead of the law.
The old Triangle Ranch, trailers, land in three counties. When one would get too hot, he would move the operation to another county. He drove the DA, Bill Raggio to distraction. Raggio finally went in one night, without proper authority, burned the place to the ground. I think he eventually went in too politics.
Apparently, Joe did everything proper. Every night, receipts, money taken in, all the proper paperwork, all on the up and up. But then, at the end of the night, he would burn them all.
When he was sent to prison in Carson City, tax evasion or something, he was immediately taken to the Blair House in Virginia City and put on a work party.
Then, in prison, in Carson City, he was involved in the casino, where he bankrolled a few games. Of course, gambling is legal in Nevada, so it was OJT for some of the inmates. But they forgot, felony conviction and you can't work in a casino.
It was always reported to be the most honest game in the state, if you got thrown out of there, you had no place else to go.
One issue of true magazine, there is Joe, cigar, alligator shoes, red alpaca knit sweater, shooting craps. But we know that was for the picture, he wouldn't shoot craps on his own table. He was also on the cover of Rolling Stones.
He did well for a cab driver from San Francisco, made millions, owned his own town in Nevada, had friends in HIGH places, owned many a politician, spread his money around. He now lives in Brazil, and our government won't let him come back for a visit.
Oprah did one of her shows at the Mustang Ranch one day, and it was so popular that they stayed and did an additional day.
They all loved Joe. I remember one mother they interviewed, loved Joe, credited him with saving her daughters life. "If Joe had not turned her in to a prostitute, I don't know where she would be today." That's the truth, she said it.
Joe got "first count," and the casinos get "first count." Joe got caught, so the IRS got him.
In a casino, you lose your money, and get nothing ...... at Joe's, you get something in return for your money.
I must admit, I liked Joe Conforte, had cofffee with him a couple of times when I was on a break, and I knew his bodyguard a bit.
They should let him come back for a visit, he probably has a few million buried somewhere, they should let him dig it up.
