Police file affidavit against Rhodes

Diana Sahagun

Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2000 | 11:25 a.m.

An affidavit outlining evidence that North Las Vegas City Councilman John Rhodes committed fraud against the city was submitted Monday to the Clark County district attorney's office.

In the affidavit, North Las Vegas Police seek one felony count of attempting to obtain money under false pretenses, North Las Vegas Police Lt. Art Redcay said.

North Las Vegas Police Detective Chris Gandy submitted a 4-inch thick case file to the district attorney's office Monday, Redcay said. Ultimately, it will be the district attorney's decision whether to file charges against Rhodes.

Rhodes' attorney, Robert Lucherini, could not comment on the specifics of the police probe, but said of the police department, "I know that John is not the most popular guy over there right now."

Lucherini said Rhodes has discussed the allegations with him and maintains his innocence. Lucherini added that he doesn't think the police department has a solid case.

The investigation -- which spanned three weeks -- was sparked after a Sun article reported that Rhodes sought reimbursement of a Palm Pilot computer through both the city and months later his insurance company, State Farm.

In reviewing city records relating to Rhodes' expenses, the Sun found he submitted a $460 Circuit City receipt for a Palm Pilot to the city for reimbursement July 29, 1998.

Then-City Manager Pat Importuna approved the reimbursement and a city check for $460 was given to Rhodes, according to city records. The city paid for the Palm Pilot after Rhodes said he needed it for his public duties.

After reviewing court records, the Sun found that the same receipt was submitted by Rhodes to State Farm Insurance two months later. Rhodes claimed to State Farm that the Palm Pilot, which was actually city property, was a replacement for a Macintosh Newton hand-held computer that was taken in an alleged September 1998 burglary at his home.

Redcay said Gandy interviewed at least 30 witnesses during the course of the investigation, all city officials and staff members.

Gandy also collected paperwork from the state attorney general's office insurance fraud division, which also is prosecuting Rhodes for alleged insurance fraud against State Farm.

Rhodes is already facing four felony counts of insurance fraud by the attorney general's office, relating to an alleged home burglary reported to his home July 1997 and September 1998.

He is scheduled to go to trial Jan. 8 on the first two felony counts relating to the alleged September 1998 home burglary. Deputy Attorney General Greg Hojnowski has filed a motion to consolidate both cases. That motion, which will be heard Dec. 22, could postpone the trial for several months, he said.

If Rhodes is convicted of a felony, he would be required to step down from his council seat. Rhodes is up for re-election in May.

Redcay said although the investigation involved a well-known second-term council member, witnesses were cooperative and the matter went relatively smoothly. He added that the investigation is not politically motivated.

"We became aware of a possible crime committed, we investigated that crime, and that's what we're paid to do," Redcay said.