Remembering Joe Yablonsky: A look back at the man who pummeled Las Vegas’ mob

The King of Sting
The investigations he oversaw not only pummeled the mob, but they also shook the town to its foundation and ended the careers of several public officials.

Yablonsky spent 32 years with the FBI, including three years, 1980-1983, as a special agent in charge of the Las Vegas office. During that tumultuous time, FBI and IRS agents targeted mafia infiltration of Las Vegas casinos, as well as public corruption. One undercover sting dubbed Operation Yobo, saw five public officials, including two county commissions convicted for taking bribes.

Another investigation led to the downfall of federal judge Harry Claiborne for income tax evasion.