Gov’s office investigating Parole Board flap, demotion possible

Brendan Riley

Friday, Dec. 1, 2000 | 12:06 p.m.

A review by the governor's office of the Nevada Parole Board, whose chairman just resigned, could result in a disciplinary wrist-slap for a second board member.

The board chairman, Richard Wyett, announced Nov. 16 that he was resigning. Jack Finn, Gov. Kenny Guinn's press secretary, has confirmed that the review now focuses on board member Tami Bass, a September 1999 Guinn appointee.

Bass, of Las Vegas, confirmed Wednesday that she had been asked to consider shifting to another state agency but hadn't made up her mind. Bass added she wasn't asked to resign from the seven-member Parole Board.

Another option could be a mild disciplinary action against Bass, who would remain on the board, The Associated Press learned Thursday.

Part of the concern for Guinn's office was a court record that included a recent $10,220 judgment against Bass for old student loans from the University of San Diego, a Southern California law school.

Another concern was a $16,297 judgment against Bass in 1994 that favored Hemar Insurance Corp. in another student loan case. Guinn's office apparently didn't know about either case until recently.

Asked about the court record, Finn said, "We are aware of the situation, we're looking into it and considering courses of action."

Wyett, in his resignation letter, didn't mention Bass by name but said factors in his decision included "recent conflicts and allegations as well as my personal opinion about inappropriate activity ... that seriously undermines the board's credibility."

Wyett, a longtime staffer and administrator of the state Parole and Probation Division, had come out of retirement six months ago to take the $78,000 Parole Board chairmanship at Guinn's request.

Asked about any clashes with Wyett since his appointment as Parole Board chairman, Bass said, "I never had a harsh word with the man at all." She added most of her work was done in Las Vegas while Wyett was in Carson City.

Regarding her court record, Bass said she wouldn't have hesitated to disclose the judgments when she got her Parole Board job - "but I was not asked to fill out an application. I was just appointed."