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The Harvey's Casino Bombing

The Harvey's Casino Bombing

Released Monday, 2nd May 2016
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The Harvey's Casino Bombing

The Harvey's Casino Bombing

The Harvey's Casino Bombing

The Harvey's Casino Bombing

Monday, 2nd May 2016
Good episode? Give it some love!
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In August 1980, an extortionist planted a thousand-pound bomb inHarvey’s Wagon Wheel Casino in western Nevada. Unless the ownerspaid him $3 million within 24 hours, he said, the bomb would go offand destroy the casino. In this week's episode of the FutilityCloset podcast we'll describe the tense drama that followed and theFBI's efforts to catch the criminal behind it.

We'll also consider some dubious lawn care shortcuts and puzzleover why a man would tear up a winning ticket.

Please consider becoming a patron of Futility Closet -- onour Patreonpage you can pledge any amount per episode, and allcontributions are greatly appreciated. You can change or cancelyour pledge at any time, and we've set up some rewards to helpthank you for your support.

You can also make a one-time donation via the Donate buttonin the sidebar of the Futility Closet website.

Sources for our feature on the Harvey's bombing:

Jim Sloan, Render Safe: The Untold Story of the Harvey'sBombing, 2011.

Adam Higginbotham, "1,000 Pounds of Dynamite," The Atavist 39.

"5 Charged in Harveys Bombing," Associated Press, Aug. 17,1981.

"Five Suspects Arrested in Harvey's Extortion Bombing,"Associated Press, Aug. 17, 1981.

"Son Pitted Against Father in Harvey's Bombing Trial,"Associated Press, Oct. 17, 1982.

Robert Macy, "Ex-Freedom Fighter Found Guilty of Bombing Hotel,"Telegraph, Oct. 23, 1982.

Melinda Beck, "A Real Harvey's Wallbanger," Newsweek,Sept. 8, 1980.

Phillip L. Sublett, "30Years Later: Trail of Clues Led Authorities to Harvey's CasinoBombers," Tahoe Daily Tribune, Aug. 28, 2010.

Guy Clifton, "35 Years Ago Today: The Bomb That Shook Lake Tahoe," RenoGazette-Journal, Aug. 26, 2015.

A brief FBI article about the case.

Full text of the extortion note.

Video discussion of the case by retired FBI special agent ChrisRonay (transcript):

Listener mail:

The imgur gallery with the German saboteur cache is here -- click the link "Loadremaining 44 images" just above the comments to see the photo wementioned.

The book quoted by Stephanie Guertin is Weapons of the NavySEALs, by Kevin Dockery, 2004.

Video ofworkers spray-painting the ground in preparation for the 2014Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Malcolm Moore, "China Officials Caught Spray-Painting Grass Green in Chengdu,"Telegraph, March 4, 2013.

This week's lateral thinking puzzle was contributed by listenerMatt Sargent.

You can listen using the player above, download this episode directly, or subscribe on iTunes orGoogle Play Music or via the RSS feed at http://feedpress.me/futilitycloset.

Many thanks to Doug Ross forthe music in this episode.

If you have any questions or comments you can reach us at[email protected]. Thanksfor listening!

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