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Bill Raggio and Joe Conforte: Nevada’s Legendary Vendetta

When Bill Raggio was elected Washoe County District Attorney in 1958, he inherited a rampantly corrupt Reno city government and police department under the bribing influence of flashy local brothel owner Joe Conforte. Raggio’s reforms infuriated Conforte, who retaliated by attempting to blackmail Raggio. The subsequent trial would draw international news coverage. While Conforte was serving his prison sentence for that attempted extortion, Raggio further antagonized him by burning down his brothel. This spiteful, always colorful, public feud would continue for another 25 years, until Conforte fled the country to avoid federal racketeering charges.

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