In the Oct. 19 issue of The Progress, there is reference to the term “Mormon Mafia” The term originated in Las Vegas in the mid 60’s after Howard Hughes ensconced himself on the top floor of the Desert Inn and began his casino buying spree.
Robert (Bob) Maheu was his chief operations guy, but the rest of his inner circle was made up of a group of attorneys and accountants of the LDS faith. In grand Las Vegas style, that group became known as the “Mormon Mafia” and the term eventually morphed to include city leaders of the same faith.
It was used as a pejorative. But Howard Hughes liked the fact that members of the faith did not drink or smoke and he viewed them as more trustworthy and honest than the people he had dealt with in Hollywood and other places.
It is somewhat surprising that anyone who has lived in So. Nevada for any length of time has not heard that terminology.
Jimmy Wike
Mesquite
