Reorganized Ethics Commission to get new leader

Friday, June 25, 1999 | 11:03 a.m.

RENO -- The state Ethics Commission Thursday gave 30-day notice of termination to its only full-time employee, Lee Ann Keever, who has been with the commission for 14-years.

Under a reorganized commission effective July 1, Keever's job is abolished. She will be replaced by a full-time executive director paid $70,450, more than double her pay rate in her job as program officer.

Keever had previously filed suit against the commission, saying she has been slandered by some of the comments of commissioners about her job performance.

The 1999 Legislature, at the request of Gov. Kenny Guinn, provided an executive secretary, a full-time independent attorney and clerical support for the commission, which is expanded from six to eight members.

Keever said today she will be at the top of the hiring list in state government after those who are laid off by Employers Insurance Co., of Nevada, which plans to trim its industrial insurance staff.

The commission agreed to contract with the state attorney general's office to continue to provide legal staff until it can hire an independent lawyer.

Commission Chairwoman Mary Boetsch will leave the commission at the end of the month. She said Scott Scherer, the legal advisor for Guinn, has informed her a replacement should be named next week.