Signing of deed ‘resolves’ Hinson controversy

Lisa Snedeker and Bill Gang

Thursday, Nov. 19, 1998 | 11:03 a.m.

Thirty feet.

That's how close Linda Hinson came to being charged criminally by the district attorney's office.

The former North Las Vegas city manager agreed Wednesday to give the city a 30-foot right of way for her property on Kenny Way.

"Hinson deeded over the property to the city, and that resolves it," District Attorney Stewart Bell said.

Hinson said she signed the deed because she needed to get past the issue so that she could concentrate on the lawsuits she is planning to file against the city concerning, among other things, her severance pay.

"I can't have this cloud hanging over my head," she said. "It's also keeping me from getting a job."

Until Wednesday, Hinson had refused to sign over a 30-foot right of way to the city for $1, standard procedure for anyone to receive a building permit, according to Gary Holler, director of public works.

Regarding the criminal allegations of misconduct in office, Bell said arguments could be made both ways.

"We can't make a very strong lack of good faith argument if she deeds over the property," he said.

Hinson reiterated that she did not use her position for personal gain.

A North Las Vegas Police investigation, which was turned over to the district attorney's office, questioned whether Hinson received an advantage concerning the lack of a right of way for her home because of her position as city manager.

"If she doesn't have that advantage, it is hard to argue that she got it," Bell said.

Hinson said she still has not seen a copy of the investigation and neither has her attorney, John Moran Jr.

Bell added that the only reason the issue was not resolved earlier was because of hard feelings between Hinson and the city.

"If this (deeding of the property) had happened months ago, the case wouldn't have gotten to our office," he said. "Now we will get back to prosecuting criminals."

Hinson has been awaiting a decision from the district attorney concerning the allegations of misconduct since the findings from the police investigation -- purportedly prompted by Acting City Manager Pat Importuna -- were turned over to the district attorney's office last month.

Bell said the right-of-way issue should have been resolved months ago.

"But the sides drew a line in the sand, and no one moved for a while," he said, referring to Hinson and the city. "The intervention of the district attorney's office caused cooler heads to prevail."

A city employee for 19 years, Hinson became assistant city manager in 1988 and was promoted to city manager in 1994.

The council in July voted 4-1, with Councilman William Robinson casting the lone "no," to not renew Hinson's contract when it expired Oct. 1. The council did not give a reason for its action but placed Hinson on paid leave from July 27 through Oct. 1.