Internal probes destined for public

Thursday, March 18, 1999 | 11:12 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A bill that would make public the results of internal investigations into complaints against state employees was approved Wednesday by the Assembly and sent to the Senate.

The bill, which passed 25-17, stemmed in part from an internal investigation last May into allegations that UNLV Athletic Director Charles Cavagnaro used racial slurs.

Assembly Bill 213 covers state workers, including those at the University and Community College System of Nevada. The bill calls for results to become public when an internal investigation is completed.

There was no debate on the floor, but there was reported to be heavy behind-the-scenes lobbying.

Assemblyman Wendell Williams, D-Las Vegas, said the Cavagnaro case was not the major reason for the bill, but he added that the case serves as a "prime example" of what the legislation is trying to cure.

Cavagnaro was accused by an unnamed person of making racial slurs about athletes. He received a reprimand, but the investigation results were never made public.

After the floor vote Williams told reporters UNLV President Carol Harter withheld the results of the inquiry.

"This will not happen again if something like this (AB213) is on the books," Williams said.

The bill, Williams said, stretches further than just this case. If a state employee violates the safe workplace standards, the public has a right to know, he said.

Concern has been raised that the opening of investigative files would hurt victims of sexual harassment cases, but Williams said, "People who are victims of sexual harassment know the public won't tolerate that."

Assemblyman David Humke, R-Reno, opposed the bill, saying it affects only state employees and not those in local governments. Williams said he wants to expand the law later.

Williams, who works for the city of Las Vegas, said there's a clear case for the public's right to know in such cases as investigations that may jeopardize public safety.

Republicans voting against the measure besides Humke were Sharron Angle and Greg Brower, both of Reno; Merle Berman, Barbara Cegavske and Dennis Nolan, all of Las Vegas; John Carpenter of Elko; Don Gustavson of Sun Valley and Lynn Hettrick of Minden.

Democrats opposed were Doug Bache, Barbara Buckley and Kelly Thomas, all of Las Vegas; Tom Collins of North Las Vegas; Richard Perkins of Henderson; Joe Dini of Yerington; Jan Evans of Sparks and Sheila Leslie of Reno.