Candidates’ arrest disclosure proposed

Tuesday, July 11, 2000 | 10:06 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Sen. Ray Shaffer, D-North Las Vegas, jokes that if his bill passes the 2001 Legislature, there may be a lot fewer people running for public office.

Shaffer's bill would require those who file for political office to disclose any arrest records they may have except for traffic tickets. Voters don't know the criminal background of some of the candidates, he said.

Shaffer said a case in point is his opponent in the Democratic primary election, Harold Giron.

Giron was arrested by Metro Police in July 1997 on charges of receiving and selling stolen goods at his business, Giron's Drop-in Center, 302 N. Maryland Parkway. He ended up pleading no contest to a misdemeanor charge and paid a $250 penalty.

Giron said he agrees with the Shaffer bill and would introduce it if he's elected.

"It's a good idea," he said. He said he's been arrested three times but has never been convicted.

But Giron said Shaffer is using the bill introduction for "selfish reasons for personal gain."

"It is wrong for him to do that," Giron said.

Giron ran unsuccessfully for Las Vegas City Council in 1987, 1991, 1993 and 1995. He also ran unsuccessfully for the Assembly in 1992.

Shaffer said an arrest disclosure requirement isn't onerous. For instance, he said, a person who applies to the state Funeral Board for a license has to disclose any arrests. And the same holds true of most other licensing boards in Nevada.

People who have been convicted of felonies are ineligible to run for public office.