Agassi, assemblyman, former judge on late tax list

Thursday, May 15, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Also making the list were North Las Vegas municipal judge candidate Gary Davis and state Assemblyman Morse Arberry Jr.

The list, which was published Thursday, shows Andre Agassi and his brother, Phillip, owe $313 plus a $12.52 penalty.

Phillip Agassi said Wednesday that he knew nothing of the late tax bill and that his brother wouldn't, either.

"All Andre's and my tax bills are paid out of Cleveland, Ohio, with his financial advisers," he said. Assessor's records confirmed the tax bill had been mailed to Cleveland.

Andre Agassi owns three homes appraised by the assessor at $349,000, $491,000 and $378,880. The two brothers own another piece of property appraised at $156,600. And Phillip Agassi owns a house appraised at $403,770.

The tax bills on those properties were paid.

Another delinquent taxpayer, North Las Vegas municipal judge candidate Gary Davis, took a different tone on Wednesday than he did last year when he appeared on the roster. In 1996, he said he paid late to protest government intrusion.

This time, he said, he no longer owns the property at issue. Because he could not pay for the property or its taxes, he said, he gave the property to his mother, a co-owner. But the paperwork had not been completed, he said.

This year's list shows that he owes $2,036.89 in taxes and $305.87 in penalties.

Last year's explanation, he said, was a glib one. Davis, who lost his judgeship in 1995 for misconduct, said, "I didn't have a job. It was just easier to be smart.

"I think I'm going to stop being unemployed real soon," Davis said during a bingo party his campaign was sponsoring at a convalescent home.

Also making the list was state Assemblyman Morse Arberry Jr., who owes $551.55 and $83.26 in penalties. Arberry acknowledged that while in Carson City at the Legislature, his mail has stacked up at home.

"I need a chance to sit down and go through the mail," said Arberry, D-North Las Vegas. "I'll take care of it."