District attorney yet to decide on case against NLV councilman

Diana Sahagun

Friday, Nov. 17, 2000 | 10:11 a.m.

Clark County District Attorney Stewart Bell said Thursday it could be a week or two before he decides whether North Las Vegas City Councilman John Rhodes will be charged in connection with an alleged felony fraud.

Although his office typically takes three to four days to decide high-profile cases, Bell said he needs more information and has issued subpoenas seeking Rhodes' bank records.

Sources close to the case say the bank records relate to Rhodes' campaign finance reports and the property he acquired through election funds during his run for councilman.

Bell said he also has asked the North Las Vegas Police Department to follow up on one witness' statement.

On Monday, North Las Vegas Police submitted an affidavit to the district attorney's office outlining evidence that Rhodes committed fraud against the city. In the affidavit, police are seeking one felony count of fraud.

The three-week investigation was sparked after the Sun reported that Rhodes had sought reimbursement for a Palm Pilot computer through the city and again months later through his insurance company, State Farm.

"The affidavit was 3 inches thick, very thorough, very well done ... but we need a little bit more information to make a decision," Bell said.

Bell, Deputy District Attorney Valerie Adair and Chief District Attorney Ron Bloxham are reviewing the case independently and will make a decision after all the additional information is collected.

Of the several hundred submissions that come into the district attorney's office each day, Bell said the office prosecutes about 75 percent of the time.

Rhodes is already facing four felony counts of insurance fraud by the Nevada attorney general's office's Insurance Fraud Division, which is prosecuting Rhodes on charges related to two alleged home burglaries.

If Rhodes is convicted of a felony, he would be required to vacate his council seat.