Gates, Jones face ethics decisions

Lisa Snedeker

Tuesday, Jan. 12, 1999 | 10:10 a.m.

The state Ethics Commission this week will consider whether there is sufficient evidence to pursue charges against County Commission Chairwoman Yvonne Atkinson Gates, Las Vegas Mayor Jan Laverty Jones and North Las Vegas Constable Herb Brown, among others.

Closed hearings are scheduled Thursday when the Ethics Commission meets in Las Vegas.

A spokeswoman for the Ethics Commission said Monday that state law prevents the commission from disclosing the identity of those who have had charges filed against them until after a closed hearing to determine the validity of the charges.

The Sun, however, obtained a copy of the complaint that Las Vegas resident Robert Rose filed in December with the Ethics Commission concerning Gates. Rose filed the complaint after reading a New York Times article that reported she uses the Mirage Resorts' telephone operation when she wants to call a community meeting. The chairwoman votes on important issues brought before the county by Mirage Resorts.

The commission last year found that Gates violated ethical standards in connection with two issues. One involved a daiquiri business that she partly owned. The commission found that she used her county position in gaining access to chief executives at several casinos to inquire about leasing space for the business. The other involved concessions at McCarran International Airport, which she voted for without disclosing friendships and family relationships.

Jones faces charges from Boulder City resident Lee Wayne Haynes for allegedly failing to list a partnership with tavern owner Stuart Apollo on her May campaign disclosure statement when she was running for governor. According to Haynes, he also has filed a complaint against top City Hall aide Cathy Hanson for allegedly helping the mayor fill out the disclosure statement on city time.

In an open session at 1 p.m. Friday in the Clark County Regional Transportation Center, 301 E. Clark Ave., Room 302, the commission is rescheduled to hear former North Las Vegas constable candidate Steve Bergstrom's complaint concerning what he refers to as Constable Herb Brown's unethical campaign practices.

Bergstrom, who lost his bid for office in November against the incumbent Democrat, also has filed a complaint against Brown's campaign manager.

Bergstrom's complaint concerns a flier Brown's camp printed and distributed a few days before the Nov. 3 election. The flier, which Bergstrom says is completely untrue, stated that Bergstrom had no qualifications for the post and that Brown was the only qualified candidate for constable.

The commission on Friday also will hear testimony concerning the conduct of Searchlight Constable Chuck Golden and Nye County Commissioner Richard Carver and will discuss a recommendation from the Clark County Ethics Task Force.