State attorney general praises court decision

Monday, March 15, 1999 | 10:11 a.m.

Mark and Susan Blanco claimed Nevada Division of Investigation agents violated their rights by searching their home during an investigation into alleged misconduct by Mark Blanco while he was a Yerington police officer.

U.S. District Court Judge Edward Reed dismissed their lawsuit, ruling NDI investigators had sufficient evidence to search the home. His ruling was upheld last month by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

"This decision will hopefully send a message to those who would bring this type of lawsuit that my office will vigorously defend the lawful actions of our peace officers," Del Papa said.

In 1997, Mark Blanco and the city of Yerington reached an out-of-court settlement over a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by Blanco.

Blanco was dismissed for unspecified reasons after working several years for the Yerington force.

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