Jeff German: Stupak, Phyllis McGuire an item again on the love circuit

STRATOSPHERE CORP. Chairman Bob Stupak and singer Phyllis McGuire are sweethearts again.

The celebrity couple, who had split after Stupak recovered from his near-fatal motorcycle accident last spring, was observed spending an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend at one of The Mirage's luxury villas.

They checked in Friday night and left Tuesday after several relaxing days of lounging at their private pool and dining in The Mirage's best restaurants.

Insiders say they've never been happier together.

Last year, Stupak credited McGuire, of the world-famous McGuire Sisters trio, with helping him snap out of a five-week coma following his motorcycle crash. McGuire kept vigil at his hospital bedside and played tapes of her music while he was unconscious.

Those close to Stupak, who has undergone hours of reconstructive surgery, knew that love was blossoming once more last month when McGuire showed up on Stupak's arm the night the master showman opened the Stratosphere Tower and resort.

McGuire -- the subject of a recent HBO movie tracing her legendary 1960s affair with the late Chicago Mafia boss Sam Giancana -- coined the term "Stupakular" to describe the VIP festivities at the Stratosphere.

For weeks before the opening, however, the two weren't even speaking to each other.

At one point, the 54-year-old Stupak, named "Mr. Las Vegas" by the City Council, moved to woo McGuire back when he sent a 1,001 dozen roses to the singer's Rancho Circle home.

Many viewed it as a publicity stunt because Stupak sent out a news release promoting his expensive gesture of love.

But though there were no immediate results (McGuire was on a long cruise at the time), the roses seem to have had an effect.

Since the Stratosphere opening, Stupak and McGuire have been nearly inseparable. They've been spotted together at other public events.

The day they checked into The Mirage, for example, they joined a couple of hundred fellow Las Vegans at a luncheon at the Gold Coast honoring local high school students. Oakland Raiders chief Al Davis spoke at the luncheon, sponsored by the National Football Foundation.

Fueling more talk of the couple's reconciliation is word in recent days that Stupak has been buying lots near McGuire's home at the well-established Rancho Circle.

His efforts have neighbors talking up a storm inside the exclusive gated neighborhood.

Stupak already owns four Rancho Circle estates, and he needs two more to acquire a total of six acres for his undisclosed project.

Comfortable now with his personal affairs, Stupak is said to be looking at life after the Stratosphere.

He reportedly can't wait to unload his Stratosphere stock and give up his chairmanship so he can move on to other business ventures.

For a guy whose life was almost snuffed out a year ago, Stupak seems to be having a pretty good time these days. He has McGuire to thank for that.

* Assemblyman Larry Spitler, D-Las Vegas, is telling friends he isn't running for re-election.

That leaves Democrats looking to gain control of the Assembly with a gaping hole to fill, as Tuesday's filing deadline approaches.

Only two candidates, a Democrat and a Republican, neither with any name recognition, have filed.

Spitler, co-chairman of the Commerce Committee, is regarded as one of the more respected Assembly Democrats.

To date, six Assembly Republicans and now two Democrats have indicated they won't seek re-election.

The parties, with a 21-21 split, shared leadership responsibilities at the 1995 Legislature.

* Las Vegas lawyer Peter Flangas, who's been getting much attention from the FBI lately, is putting out the word that he's running against District Judge Donald Mosley.

That's likely to attract even more interest from the feds, who've obtained an indictment against his good friend and protege, District Judge Gerard Bongiovanni.

There's said to be bad blood between Flangas and Mosley at the courthouse.

archive