Malone claims ignorance of concessions violations

Friday, June 12, 1998 | 4:39 a.m.

County Commissioner Lance Malone told the Ethics Commission in a closed-door hearing on May 27 that he didn't know it was wrong to back his friends over other applicants for lucrative concessions at McCarran International Airport.

In transcripts released by the Ethics Commission, Malone is quoted as saying that he endorsed two successful applicants because they were friends of his relatives and claimed he was ignorant that such a practice was unethical.

The Ethics Commission decided to go ahead with a public hearing on June 25-26, where Malone and fellow commissioners Myrna Williams and Yvonne Atkinson-Gates will be given a chance to explain similar actions regarding airport concessions.

"I didn't know the process was fouled," Malone told the panel, according to the transcripts that were released this week. "I know ignorance is not a defense and I apologize."

Malone is accused of favoring two candidates from a list of 33, Gay Reber and Tammy Starring. Malone testified that he knew Reber, his wife's friend, and that a relative said Starring and her husband were "good people."

Malone testified before the panel for two hours. The transcripts reveal that while the panel tended to believe Malone was sincere, it nevertheless declined to dismiss the allegations.