Governor reports campaign donations

Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2000 | 10:57 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn, who collected $6.1 million to finance his run for governor, raised an additional $272,756 in the final three months of 1999, which will be used to pay off campaign debts.

The governor Tuesday submitted his campaign report, which requires public officials who raise more than $10,000 in an off-election year to disclose the source of funds. The deadline for submitting the information was Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Most of Guinn's contributions came from big business, including more than $37,000 from large Las Vegas Strip hotels.

Details show the Walters Group, owned by Billy Walters, contributed $1,000. Walters has been indicted a third time in Las Vegas on money-laundering charges stemming from his multimillion-dollar sports betting activities.

Guinn received contributions during the campaign from Walters, but Guinn's campaign spokesman, Peter Ernaut, said the money was returned when Walters was indicted. Ernaut noted the indictments were dismissed against Walters and he has never been convicted. About the post-campaign contribution, he said, "We're contemplating returning the money."

The campaign report also shows that Amy Ayoub of Las Vegas contributed $1,000 to Guinn just two days after she was named to become the first woman on the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Ernaut said the timing "must be a coincidence."

He said the decision to name Ayoub was made more than a year ago. Ernaut said Ayoub, who had worked for Las Vegas Mayor Jan Laverty Jones in prior years, was a "loyal supporter (for Guinn) through the campaign."

During the campaign in 1998, Ayoub contributed $1,000 also.

Ernaut said there was a 4 to 5 percent cost overrun in the campaign despite the fact Guinn collected $6.1 million. Ernaut said Guinn had $260,000 in personal debt, plus another $200,000 for various items, including payments for Ernaut's public relations company.

Two or three more campaign lunches or dinners are planned to retire the rest of the debt, Ernaut said. He said that although the governor is out beating the bushes for money "does not necessarily signal re-election" plans.

The reason for the cost overrun, Ernaut said is "campaigns are expensive."

The largest campaign contribution of $10,000 came from Showtime Network Inc. of New York. Wayne Pearson, a Las Vegas pollster and political figure, also reportedly gave $10,000 in "in kind" contributions.

The Nevada State AFL-CIO, which supported Jones in her unsuccessful run against Guinn, donated $1,000 to the governor last year.

Contributions of $5,000 each came from American International Group Inc. of New York and American Pacific Corp., Arthur Goldstrom Enterprises, Aspen Financial Services, Cashman Cadillac, James J. Chaisson Sr., and Coast Resorts, all of Las Vegas.

Others who donated $5,000 included Coca-Cola Enterprises of Atlanta, Ga., and E.A. Collins, Flamingo Hilton, Hi-Pac for Southern Nevada, Jones Vargas law firm, Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas Limousines and Republic Silver State Disposal, Inc., all of Las Vegas.

Contributions of $5,000 were received from Sierra Health Services, Station Casinos and VTN Nevada, all of Las Vegas.

Other $5,000 donors were Del Webb Communities of Henderson; Flamingo Hilton in Reno; Fremont Comp of Glendale, Calif; IGT of Reno; Mission Industries of North Las Vegas; Nevada Holding Services of Henderson; Newmont Gold Co. of Denver; Sierra Pacific Power Co. of Reno; Sprint of Shawnee Mission, Kan.; the Hughes Corp. of Columbia, Md., and the Virgin River hotel-casino in Mesquite.

Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt reported she had $26,880 left over from her campaign in 1998, but that has dwindled to $5,443 with payments for various expenses.

State Treasurer Brian Krolicki reported receiving $18,079 in campaign contributions during the past year.