Panel rejects complaint against Supreme Court justice

Monday, March 16, 1998 | 9:38 a.m.

The complaint was filed in November by Jack Johnson of Carson City, who claimed Shearing illegally sought to give herself and nine other judges $22,000 salary increases.

In a letter signed by general counsel Leonard Gang, the commission informed Johnson the complaint was investigated and dismissed.

"The facts set forth in your complaint do not establish grounds for the commission to exercise its jurisdiction," the letter says.

Shearing was accused by some legislators last May of hiding $479,000 in a proposed court budget account to give secret pay raises to judges. She was chief justice at the time.

The increases were contained in a Supreme Court request for money to study the Family Court system. In the wake of a public outcry, the request was withdrawn.

Under the state constitution, judges can receive pay increases granted by the Legislature only after they have been re-elected.

Johnson argued the proposed study was an attempt to illegally raise the pay of 10 judges, including Shearing, elected several years ago so it matched the pay of newly elected judges.

But Shearing maintained she was innocent of any deception, saying she discussed the matter prior to legislative hearings with about 20 legislators.

State Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, agreed: "There was no attempt to hide the increases. It was clear to me."