The Argent Corporation scandal represents the most thoroughly documented case of organized crime infiltration in Las Vegas history. Through a byzantine corporate structure, four mob families systematically looted the Stardust casino of millions in unreported revenue.

The Corporate Structure

Argent Corporation was created as a front, with Allen Glick serving as the nominal owner. A decorated Vietnam veteran with no gaming experience, Glick was the perfect strawman—clean on paper but completely under mob control. The Teamsters Central States Pension Fund provided $62.75 million in financing.

The Operational Players

Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal ran day-to-day operations despite never holding a gaming license—a regulatory violation that would later prove crucial. Anthony Spilotro handled enforcement, ensuring that everyone from employees to competitors understood the consequences of disloyalty.

The FBI's Response

Operation Strawman, launched by the Kansas City FBI office, utilized extensive wiretaps to document the entire skimming network. The tapes captured mob bosses discussing skim payments, enforcement actions, and the logistics of cash couriering.

The Aftermath

The resulting prosecutions sent top mob figures to prison, including bosses from Kansas City, Chicago, and Milwaukee. The scandal led to Argent's license revocation and the Stardust's sale to Boyd Gaming—marking the definitive end of mob control on the Strip.