Mob Museum makes huge payment in cash, mob style

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman took a cue from the mob in making a huge payment on behalf of the city’s Mob Museum.

Goodman presented $1.5 million in cash to the City Council at a meeting on Wednesday. The $100 bills bundled up and stuffed in suitcases are the first of four annual payments the two-year-old museum plans to make to the city.

Las Vegas invested $33 million into renovating a historic former federal courthouse and post office in downtown and launching the museum that leases the space. Executive Director Jonathan Ullman says the nonprofit museum planned to pay back $6.2 million of the city’s original investment, and is on track to do so.

The museum has welcomed nearly half a million visitors since launching on Valentine’s Day 2012.