Equal Rights investigator charged in fired

Saturday, Aug. 5, 2000 | 7:49 a.m.

Wednesday's two-alarm blaze caused $700,000 in damage to the commission's east side office.

On Friday, fire investigators arrested Charles H. Gratman, 62, of Las Vegas on one count of first-degree arson. Gratman is employed as a compliance inspector with the commission, which investigates complaints of workplace discrimination.

Fire officials declined to discuss details of the case.

A Las Vegas newspaper reported Saturday that a source familiar with the investigation said Gratman was on probationary status with the commission and was due for an employment review by commission supervisors.

The commission does not know how many records have been destroyed because employees have not been allowed into the office to access the damage.

A conviction of first-degree arson carries a sentence of 15 to 20 years in prison, fire officials said.

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