Could gamblers be the greediest people in the world? What about casino owners? Nah. For real greed you have to go the people who govern gambling towns.

Back in the ’80s, the Stratosphere hotel and casino coveted the property of Paul and Laurel Moldon, residents of Las Vegas. But the Stratosphere business folk didn’t want to pay the top dollar that the Moldon property would likely command on the market. So, after a little finagling with the city government, the Moldons found their property condemned.

And a $725,000 compensation check deposited with the clerk of the court.

But there was a catch. If the Moldons touched that money, they couldn’t sue to get a better deal.

Then the casino went bust. Delays followed delays. Then, in 2004, a jury determined that the fair market value for the property was actually twice the government-determined price. The Moldons agreed to sell. The judge ordered the clerk to fork over the principal previously held for them, and all the interest accumulated over the years.

But the county, instead, kept the interest earned. For itself. County officials claimed state statute “made” them keep the money.

Yeah, I bet.

If the courts don’t overrule the county, a Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial says the law should be changed. Ah, when governments get greedy, the interest in interest overides principles.

This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.