Neal disclosure form falls short of Guinn, Jones wealth

Wednesday, June 3, 1998 | 10:23 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- State Sen. Joe Neal might be called the "poor man's" candidate for governor when contrasted with Las Vegas Mayor Jan Laverty Jones and GOP candidate Kenny Guinn who hold numerous assets.

The information is contained on financial disclosure statements filed by the major candidates with the state Ethics Commission in the last week.

The commission has sent GOP candidate Aaron Russo a letter asking him how he supports himself financially and has given him 10 days to file an amended form with the information.

Russo, a former Hollywood producer who has spent several hundred thousand dollars in his campaign for governor, lists no source of income -- a disclosure statement requirement. His disclosure form also listed no property worth more than $2,500; no debts exceeding $5,000; no gifts; and the fact that he is not an owner or director in a business.

Russo, a two-year resident of Nevada, said Tuesday he answered the questions honestly.

"I pay my bills from my capital. I made a lot of money and I have a lot of hard assets," he said. "I don't own real estate and bonds. I have a right to keep my money where I want to."

The disclosure forms do not require the candidate to list the amount of his income or debts. Income and debts of spouses, however, must be reported.

There also is no requirement to list the value of a candidate's home.

Neal, according to his financial statement, lists his only income as his pension; he doesn't own any property outside his home; he doesn't have any debts of more than $5,000; hasn't received any gifts; and is not an owner or director of any business. He's been a resident of Nevada for more than 40 years.

At the other end of the spectrum are Jones and Guinn.

The mayor, a 17-year resident, reports the sources of her income are her salary as mayor; compensation from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority; the Community Bank where she's a director; Fletcher Jones Mazda; her former husband Fletcher Jones Jr.; and stocks and bonds owned by her and her new husband Richard Schuetz.

She also lists a source of income from Neiman Marcus coming from Maura Lasater. And her husband reports he receives income from Schuetz Inc. The couple receive interest from their checking and savings account.

Jones owns commercial property on the southwest corner of Flamingo and Durango roads; has a vacation home in Laguna Beach, Calif.; and unimproved land held for investment or development in Clark County.

She owes money to Pioneer Citizens Bank, Community Bank, Bank of America, Calif. TES Ltd., in which her husband is involved, and is in debt to Perry B. and Amanda Whitt, trustees under a trust agreement.

The newlywed couple received a cat statue from Bill and Susan Walters and a painting from John and Marilyn Moran as wedding gifts, both valued at more than $200. Jones is either an owner or a trustee in Community Bank, Fletcher Jones Mazda and Jan-Cur Corp. Schuetz is involved in TES Ltd., International Hospitality Corp. and Private Bank Minnesota.

Guinn, a resident of Nevada for 33 years, lists his source of income as retirement and deferred income from Southwest Gas, the Kenny C. Guinn Limited Partnership, Aspen Financial Services, Smith Barney, Northwest Bank of Nevada and Developers of Nevada.

He owns a second home in Brian Head, Utah; an improved residential lot at 52 Innisbrook in Las Vegas; and a single family resident at 412 MacArthur Way, also in Las Vegas.

Bank West of Nevada is the only one owed more than $5,000. Guinn reported he has received no gifts in the past year. He's a trustee, director or owner in the Guinn Family Trust, the Guinn Family Limited Partnership and Three Double Scoops, a limited partnership.

Hammargren, a Las Vegas neurosurgeon, reports his income comes from his salary as lieutenant governor and from the Neurosurgical Association of Nevada. He also lists the salary his wife Sandra earns from Sunrise Hospital.

Hammargren does not own any property outside his home; has no debts of more than $5,000; has not received any gifts; and is a director or owner in Professional Management Inc. and Neurosurgical Associates.