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Jan. 25, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Workplace safety concerns drove whistle-blower

By FRANK GEARY
REVIEW-JOURNAL
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Editor's Note: Seeking heroes in our own time, the Review-Journal annually asks the public to nominate people who in the past year took serious risks to life, career, financial well-being or other personal interests for the greater good of humanity. This is the fifth of six "Nevada Profiles in Courage" about some who performed such deeds in 2007. Look for the final profile on Saturday.


Former Harrah's construction worker Fred Frazzetta went to his superiors, company officials, and then to Clark County to report remodeling work done without permits or proper safety inspections. When they brushed off his concerns, he went to the media.
Photo by John Locher.

When workers for Harrah's Las Vegas were exposed to asbestos, it was Fred Frazzetta who went to his superiors before he turned to state regulators. They fined the resort $11,500 for 18 workplace safety violations.

Dozens saw a floor at the Rio, also owned by Harrah's Entertainment, gutted for remodeling to larger, modern suites, but it was Frazzetta who questioned whether the work was done without proper permits or inspections and whether public safety was at risk.

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    • He insists others knew what he knew, but it was Frazzetta who phoned the employee hot line and brought his concerns to company officials before he was demoted and then fired last year after being accused of stealing light bulbs.

    As he continued trying to point out the problems, two television news stations turned away Frazzetta before he took his concerns to the Review-Journal last summer, he said.

    "I would hope anybody in my situation would do the same thing," Frazzetta said. "I don't see myself as a hero. It's either right or wrong. People could have been harmed and I just tried to do the right thing, but it's been a year and a half and it's still not done. I would encourage other people to come forward and do the same thing. If this place (Las Vegas) is going to get cleaned up, it's not going to get done by one person."

    Since the stories on construction violations at Harrah's on the Strip and the Rio first hit the newspaper in October, the company closed 700 rooms while it corrected problems Frazzetta helped bring to light; Harrah's closed its remodeling department; Harrah's chief executive called the remodeling controversy the "most disturbing issues" the company faced in five years; the county cited Harrah's employees as part of ongoing investigations; and an auditor is examining the county's oversight of the construction.

    "Not only did they do it, but they left behind real public-safety hazards that have been documented by the Fire Department and the building department," Frazzetta said. "It's a multibillion-dollar company. They have a responsibility to their employees and guests to make sure the workplace is safe."

    Meanwhile, Frazzetta, an electrician, who friends say is an avid hiker and rock climber, is unemployed and without a place to call home as a result.

    Josh Costello, a former Harrah's employee who is now a police officer, said Frazzetta is not like most of his former colleagues. He is not as desperate for the job with Harrah's, and he truly believes in doing the right thing, Costello said.

    "He wanted to see what was right, done. And, when they (Harrah's) didn't do it, he told me he was going to take matters into his own hands and he did," Costello said. "Do I think what he has done is noble and just? Yes, I do."

    Frazzetta's documented disclosures about construction shortcuts have put the spotlight on the company and the county, but top administrators from each applauded Frazzetta's courage and determination.

    "Fred needs to be commended on seeing something he thought was not right, going to management and telling them. Even when he wasn't being heard, he didn't give up. He kept pushing," said Jan Jones, an executive vice president for Harrah's and former mayor of Las Vegas. "We are a community that lives by rules. ... He reminded us once again; there are rules."

    County Manager Virginia Valentine, in a prepared statement, said Frazzetta's efforts improved public safety and have compelled the county to improve its investigations into complaints of construction flaws.

    Valentine states, "Fred was tenacious in his pursuit of drawing attention to problems at some properties owned by Harrah's. He spent countless hours of his personal time and energy without personal gain. Fred's efforts resulted in corrective actions now under way to obtain appropriate building permits and to bring unpermitted remodeling work up to code."

    Frazzetta said he opened eyes to the flaws in some of the many remodeling projects on the Strip in recent years. But, he said, genuine reform will take hold only after fines are increased dramatically for violations of workplace safety and building and fire codes; more criminal charges are brought against violators; and a message is sent that it is less expensive to do the work right the first time.

    "I don't think Harrah's is the only company to do this," Frazzetta said. "It hasn't brought about true reform until there are changes in the law. The fines are so low it makes more sense for the bean counters to recommend to the company to go ahead (with construction) and to not worry about the fines."

    Saturday: Four pharmacy students started an organization to discourage young people from abusing prescription drugs.



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    Whistleblower, too wrote on March 09, 2008 10:29 AM: I heard that Cathouse at the Luxor Hotel and Casino has been closed for more than a week after opening just recently. I was told the company that constructed the Cathouse is the same company that constructed the Luxor pyramid. Will somebody please check these reports? Thank you.


    Fred Frazzetta wrote on January 27, 2008 09:22 AM: The Donald:

    Maybe you should ask some of my fellow workers what happened to me in July of 2006 when I let my immediate supervisors/bosses Tom Adams, Director of Facilities & Construction Projects; Leon Vermillion, Harrah's Chief Engineer; Bob Bruna, Assistant Chief at Harrah's, know that I was the "Whistleblower". I was restricted to a 4' by 10' table fixing vacuums...and as I was told later by Tom Adam's himself it was to keep me from finding anything else wrong inside of the Casino! They did not have a vacuum repairman position they made it special for me so they could fire me if I didn't fix enough vacuums during my shift. Ron Cozart, a representative of the Local 501 Operating Engineers Union recommended that Harrah's put me doing vacuum repair until they could fire me - this being the same Union that did nothing to protect their union members from the asbestos exposure that they encountered over and over again at the hands of Harrah's during the course of the many illegal remodel projects which go back as far as 1992. The 501 Union knew that their members were participating in Hotel remodels something that was not a part of their charter...this changed in 2007 as 501 made a change to provide workers "legally" for Roman Empire Development's construction Projects. I was a vacuum repairman for 1.5 days and then I was returned to the "Electrical Shop", and a week later Leon Vermillion on a Friday afternoon 15 minutes before my shift ended informed me that they were shifting me to Graveyards effective immediately - he was pissed because OSHA returned to the Hotel again that day. Three shift changes in less than 2 weeks...I was so special they even escorted me to the bathroom!


    NOYB wrote on January 26, 2008 03:06 PM: Feeling sorry for little Freddy because the poor man can't get a job or has no place to live?
    Face it. The truth is little Freddy has Sadim's touch!
    Just ask EVERY prior employer, or any family member, or even the kid he never raised. He ruins everything he touches!
    He was a substandard co-worker, and obviously a thief.
    He stands in the way of progress AND SAFETY, because he made (makes) people afraid to do their jobs.
    Why do you think that everyone from the OSHA to the Fire Department ignored him.
    Fortunately for little Freddy we have obnoxious and bored people at the RJ who are eager to print and re-print the same crap over and over. Remember the story about the latch? It made front page news...riveting! And let's not forget the story about the caulking, we read about that one over & over again.
    Help us all!
    Hey. Got a great idea. Why doesn't the RJ give little Freddy a job. Or how about you GOD? Why don't you take little Freddy in and see just how long he takes to destroy your life or your business.



    ABE wrote on January 25, 2008 08:14 PM: Whether Fred did the right thing or not isn't the issue-this town is about getting "yours" and what did he gain? Now he is out of a job in the good ole boy gaming world. Is it really worth it? Is your family better off? Is your life better because of coming forward? Those are tough questions-but really-does anyone care or willing to help a man that comes forward in this town? Come on, this is Vegas and its about the bottom line if you are invloved in gaming-period! No one cares at the end of the day!


    CrispyCritters wrote on January 25, 2008 03:52 PM: Ho Ho Ho He He He! All you delusional deniers of the shoddy and questional building practices in LV Casinos, the fire of the exterior/facade of the Monte Carlo was due to flamable stucco and shoddy cheap contruction standards. The Whole freakin building would have burned up if the fire had started on the first or second floors and fire had the natural tendency of to flames and smoke rise up a structure. Jesus H Christ, people, when are folks going to wake up and realize that construction here in at the lowest, cheapest level in the US!


    David wrote on January 25, 2008 03:51 PM: Oh and god, u need to get a job (its prolly Fred). It's pathetic, u post ignorant stuff on every article here.


    Talk about calling the kettle black.


    CB4 wrote on January 25, 2008 12:56 PM: Am i supposed to feel sorry for Fred...no way. The man is responsible for 200+ innocent people being laid off.

    What many of you guys don't understand is that Fred was hired out of a favor because he couldn't find a job, nor could he hold one. He has screwed over his last two employers the same way he did to Harrah's. Their only mistake was hiring the guy in the first place.

    Oh and god, u need to get a job (its prolly Fred). It's pathetic, u post ignorant stuff on every article here.


    RussBBinVegas@aol.com wrote on January 25, 2008 12:24 PM: The irony is too delicious! The same day as a front-page article about malfeasance by a huge casino corporation over whether proper building codes were followed or wilfully circumvented, a huge casino goes up in flames ...


    GOD wrote on January 25, 2008 12:17 PM: Like I wrote at 5:00 a.m. in regards to this article I will repeat...

    Shame on the building inspectors, city and company officials, and media that overlooked his concerns because of corruption, greed, or because they are cowards.

    IF THE FIRE AT MONTE CARLO WERE AT THE RIO OR OTHER HARRAH PROPERTIES, WE'D BE WATCHING BODYBAGS BEING PULLED OUT OF THE HOTEL!!!

    I laugh at all you naysayers that were taking your pathetic shots at LVRJ and Mr. Mr. Frazzetta this morning. You doubters look like fools now!!!


    Kelly wrote on January 25, 2008 11:50 AM: Amazing how they (Harrah's) will commend him for bringing this issue to light and yet, he is still without a job and a home. I find the light bulb firing to be disgusting! Step up Harrah's! How about a public apology! How about giving the man a job! You should be so lucky to have him want to work for you.


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