Hammargren acknowledges misuse of state vehicle

Friday, Sept. 4, 1998 | 11:19 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- In the fading days before the primary election, Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren misused a state vehicle on a trip to Reno to carry his campaign signs and to attend political events in Northern Nevada.

Hammargren, who was a Republican candidate for governor, acknowledges the error and says he is going to reimburse the state. He blames his staff for the foul-up.

On Aug. 22, Hammargren picked up the state car after flying into the Reno- Tahoe airport from his home in Las Vegas. He loaded his campaign signs into it and attended an ice-cream social that day. The following day, he drove to Virginia City for a political rally.

He later travelled to the Douglas County Republican picnic at South Lake Tahoe. From there, he went back to Reno to attend a party for Lorraine Hunt, who became the GOP candidate for lieutenant governor after the results from the primary election were counted. He then dropped the car off at the airport and flew back to Las Vegas.

During his travels, he said he also used the car to drive to a Catholic church south of Reno to attend mass.

According to records in the state motor pool, Hammargren chalked up 148 miles on the car.

Nevada law prohibits private use of state vehicles by an officer or an employee. A violation is considered malfeasance in office.

Hammargren says there was confusion surrounding the reservation and use of the state car. He was supposed to be picked up by a private individual who would chauffeur him around that weekend for the political events but that individual was called to California on an emergency.

His staff made the reservations for the state vehicle, he said. Asked why he didn't rent a private car for his political travels, Hammargren replied, "This was a last-minute thing. It didn't go according to plan. There was confusion.

"I stayed at a private house, I put gas in the vehicle so it was full up and I didn't turn in any reimbursement (for meals and lodging). I paid for everything in cash," he said.

If he reimburses the state it will be $15 a day for the rental and 12 cents a mile -- a far cheaper rate than a private rental.