Attorney General’s office won’t pursue Miller’s chain-letter ‘fun’

Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1997 | 10:56 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Bob Miller concedes he may have been involved in an illegal chain letter exchanging golf balls, but the attorney general's office says there was no crime involved.

Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa said today, "It was more in fun than in fraud," referring to Miller's activity. Her office received an inquiry about the governor's actions.

"Disregarding who (Miller) it was, it did not meet the criteria to pursue an investigation," she said.

"The governor was not out of bounds but in the rough," Del Papa quipped.

Miller said, "I see the negative perception. It may have been foolish. I will not do it again."

Chain letters are illegal in Nevada.

Miller received a letter several months ago in which he was urged to join, sending the names at the top of the letter three golf balls. In exchange, Miller's name would be placed at the bottom of the letter. And when it reached the top, he would get three balls from all the people who signed on later.

Richard Urey, Miller's press secretary, said the governor is an "avid golfer" and collects golf memorabilia. The names on the letter, Urey said, were Nevada businessmen and there were no other current elected officials. One of those on the letter was Miller's political adviser, Billy Vassiliadis, who owns a Las Vegas public relations and advertising firm.

Miller's name is apparently still on the letter, if it is being circulated.

"Once you get on a list, you're on it forever," Urey said.

Urey said he also received the chain letter also but doesn't remember who it came from. He said he did not remember if Miller's name was ahead of his.

He said he recognized it as a pyramid scheme and "I threw it in the trash."

Nevada law says pyramid promotional schemes or endless chains are deceptive trade practices. A first offense for violation of the trade practices law is a misdemeanor.

The attorney general or the district attorney in whose county the chain letter exists is authorized to seek a court injunction to stop such a scheme.