Nye County official expected to surrender

Shaunta Grimes

Wednesday, Nov. 3, 1999 | 10:58 a.m.

Nye County's public administrator and his wife were expected to turn themselves in today for allegedly stealing from residents who died without wills.

Public Administrator Robert "Red" Dyer and Jeanette Vivian Dyer are charged with theft, forgery and misconduct of a public official. Robert Dyer is the county's public administrator, responsible for dealing with the estates of residents who die without wills or trusts, Nye County Sheriff Wade A. Lieseke Jr. said.

The Dyers' attorney said he understands why they have been evading arrest on the charges filed Thursday. Ted Marshall, a Las Vegas attorney retained by the Dyers, on Tuesday called their decision to leave Nye County a "superb idea." Because Marshall could not reach the Nye County justice of the peace on Friday, he said, the Dyers would have spent the holiday weekend in jail waiting for a judge to become available. "You better believe they left," he said.

Marshall said he did not advise his clients to leave Nye County.

Bail has been set at $30,000 each, but Marshall wants Robert Dyer released without bail. Being a public official reduces Robert Dyer's flight risk, even though he is charged with misusing his public office.

"The Dyers are having financial difficulties. If he has to pay $3,000 for bail he will have to use a public defender," Marshall said.

When Marshall called the Pahrump Justice Court asking for a reduction in bail, he was told to file a motion for a bail hearing, according to Tina Brisebill, court administrator. "He chose not to file a motion," she said.

If a motion had been filed Tuesday, Brisebill said a hearing could have been set for this morning and the Dyers presence would not have been required.

Marshall said the Dyers have been in touch with the FBI regarding alleged death threats made against them by Nye County Sheriff's Department employees.

"That's the most absurd thing I have ever heard in my life. The only thing I can attribute this to is they are delusional," Lieseke said in reference to the alleged threats.

The FBI did not comment on whether there is an ongoing investigation, according to spokesman Kevin Caudle.