Late reports to cost officials

Wednesday, April 29, 1998 | 9:28 a.m.

More than 300 public officers will soon get notices that they each owe the state at least $1,775 for failing to submit required financial disclosure statements to the Ethics Commission.

Each day they fail to turn in the reports - which most can fill out in less than five minutes - adds another $100 to their fines.

Among the public officers named are: Mark Aston, former Clark County treasurer; Mary Nebgren, Washoe County Schools superintendent; Richard Wyett, former Parole and Probation Division administrator; and Bob Loux, director of the state Agency for Nuclear Projects.

Also named were Public Utilities Commission member Tim Hay, state Tourism Director Tom Tait and University and Community College System Chancellor Richard Jarvis.

According to the commission, former Henderson Mayor Robert Groesbeck owes $275 for submitting his statement nine days late, while Glenn Carano, a member of the Nevada Athletic Commission, must pay $525 for being 15 days late.

The large fines are causing consternation. Dr. Ken Landow of Las Vegas told the Ethics Commission in a letter that he's resigning from the Board of Oriental Medicine because of the fine.

In response to Landow's complaint, the Ethics Commission reduced the fines against him to $100. But Landow said his resignation from the Board of Oriental Medicine stands.

Hay submitted a disclosure statement Monday, a few hours after hearing his name was on the list of nonfiling officers. He said the form was filled out Feb. 22, but somehow it hadn't been mailed to the Ethics Commission.

Jarvis released a stamped document that showed the Ethics Commission got his disclosure statement March 4. Tait's staff said he mailed in the form Feb. 17, and Loux said he thought he had submitted his disclosure statement.

A state law passed last year requires all elected officials and public officers to file financial disclosure statements by March 31.

Those who file late are fined $25 a day during the first week, $50 a day the second week then $100 each day thereafter.

Those who leave their jobs still must submit the reports. Both served in 1997 and by law must file a final financial disclosure statement within 60 days of leaving their positions.

The law requires that civil actions must be brought against those who fail to pay fines. The money collected will be placed in the state's general fund.

On the disclosure statements, public officers must list income sources, names of their debtors, property holdings and identify people who gave them gifts valued at more than $200 in 1997.

The statements are required of all elected officials, judges and public officers. Public officers are defined as people appointed to boards or those who hold jobs in which they formulate public policy, enforce laws or spend public money.