When Geary first sees Michael in his office he tells him that his sources have told him that he's planning to make a move on the Tropigala. Could his source have been Hyman Roth or Johhny Ola?

He exaggerated (or sloppy writing). In order for Michael (or his representative) to make an ownership move on the Tropigala, he would have had to apply to the Gaming Commission to have his or his representative approved as the license-holder. When Michael said, "Turnbull is a good man," he clearly stated that he'd gone through Turnbull--Geary's political bagman--to officially apply for the license. Roth or Ola may have influenced Geary to try to shake Michaell down for the $250k and the 5% of all four hotels, "Mr. Cor-lee-own-nee."

But TB,why not go ahead and secure the licenses and then go after Geary?

A gaming license in Nevada was more valuable than oil wells and liquor licenses combined. And more political, too. I don't think anyone could simply apply to the Gaming Commission for a license--they'd have to negotiate all the political hurdles. And, in the case of GFII, Geary was one of the hurdles.
As I posted here:

http://www.gangsterbb.net/threads/ubbthr...=true#Post18414

No, I meant why not agree to Geary's terms, get the licenses, and then spring the plot on him?

It would be a sign of weakness. In the Netherlands we have a term for this; if you give the finger, they'll take the hand. Michael was new in Nevada and couldn't afford showing any sign of weakness as he was building a powerbase there. If you're the most powerful mafia chieftain you don't let yourself be extorted by some senator, its the other way around. You don't want to lose face.

Btw, Tb, the page doesn't exist anymore.

...also, suppose Geary had already spent the money by the time Tom sprang the bordello plot on him? Or, he declared it in some way that would make it difficult for him to return it to Michael?

It's all the more reason why I believe that Michael had already approved of blackmailing Geary before the Tahoe shooting. Since he and the hooker "done it be-fo-were," Geary's patronage of the brothel must have been reported to Michael, probably by Fredo. Michael would have stashed it away like a gold bar. After the oily hair/silk suit rap, Michael must have told Tom and Neri, "Next time he shows up at the brothel, nail his ass." Turned out that the next time was when Michael was away.

I'm not so sure TB. For one, it violates Vito's exhortation that one should never let anyone outside the family know what you're thinking. By refusing to accomodate Geary's attempted extortion, he simply alerted Geary and opened the gates to any number of negative possibilities. As viewers, we have the luxury of knowing the outcome. But Michael couldn't know at that time that Geary could or would be be entrapped.

[quote=Turnbull
It's all the more reason why I believe that Michael had already approved of blackmailing Geary before the Tahoe shooting. Since he and the hooker "done it be-fo-were," Geary's patronage of the brothel must have been reported to Michael, probably by Fredo. Michael would have stashed it away like a gold bar. After the oily hair/silk suit rap, Michael must have told Tom and Neri, "Next time he shows up at the brothel, nail his ass." Turned out that the next time was when Michael was away. [/quote]

Wow...Fredo a source...highly doubtful. This looks more like Tom Hagen's doing. Tom has been taking a lot of heat on the boards, so I am going to give him some credit here. I believe he briefed Michael on Geary before the communion party, the same way he briefed Vito on Sollzzo.

"This Geary is polling with a 60% approval rating. He is unbeatable in Nevada, and even with our people behind someone else, he'd probably win. He is big on talking about hw clean and wonderful Nevada is, and plays the role of boy scout, but our people in Reno tell us he is fond of the ladies, so if someone can get him to patronize Fredo's bordello, then we can get the goods on him."