Court briefs for December 15, 2000

Friday, Dec. 15, 2000 | 11:11 a.m.

Former members want back in

A group of former Las Vegas Paiute tribal members who were kicked out of the small group last year took their case before a judge in tribal court Thursday to argue they were wrongly removed from membership rolls.

The 14 former members are seeking reinstatement and the benefits that come with tribal membership, including annual payments of about $100,000 each.

The former members claim they were wrongly kicked out of the tribe in June 1999 by tribal council members seeking to consolidate power and who harbor family grudges against the disenrolled members.

Former NLV officer files action

A former North Las Vegas Police officer has filed a federal lawsuit against the city and the police department alleging he was attacked by other officers in retaliation for being a whistleblower.

According to the lawsuit, Thomas shed light on a scheme within the North Las Vegas Police Officers Association that overcharged members for health benefits.

A spokesman for the department, Lt. Art Redcay, said Thursday the city has not yet received a copy of the lawsuit and therefore he could not comment.

In a separate lawsuit, North Las Vegas is also claiming victory after the Nevada Supreme Court Thursday ruled that the city could stop arbitration with Thomas and another former officer for at least 30 days.

Thomas filed a lawsuit last year asking for arbitration over his firing.

Trial date set for two suspects

District Judge Kathy Hardcastle on Thursday set a July 9 trial date for Jose Vigoa and Luis Suarez, who are accused in a robbery at the Bellagio.

Vigoa, Suarez and Oscar Cisneros-Sanchez are suspected of being the same three body armor-wearing men who stormed into the casino on June 3 and robbed it of $160,000.