Court briefs for November 28, 2000

Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2000 | 10:43 a.m.

Complaint filed over election

Fifty members of the Las Vegas branch of the NAACP have filed a complaint with the national organization concerning their Nov. 18 election.

The members list nine complaints in a page and a half document submitted to the national organization Monday.

The members allege that membership applications were backdated to allow people to vote for Gene Collins, who ended up being re-elected by a margin of four votes. They also allege the membership fees of those people were paid by the Las Vegas branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

The complaint was spear-headed by presidential candidate Lonie Chaney, who was unsuccessful in getting District Judge Michael Cherry to stop the election from going forward. Lonie Chaney and Willia Chaney are suing Collins for libel.

Defendant gets 3 years probation

A Las Vegas man who broke into Mayor Oscar Goodman's car and stole 26 cents was placed on three years probation Monday.

District Judge Joseph Bonaventure also ordered Fred Hogan to pay $500.26 restitution in the case -- $500 for damage to the mayor's car and the 26 cents he stole.

The mayor told Bonaventure he did not want Hogan to get any jail or prison time.

Police believe Hogan smashed a window in Goodman's 1978 Mercedes-Benz convertible while it was parked in his driveway off Rancho Drive.

Hogan was arrested on Sept. 29 when fingerprints taken after an earlier arrest matched those left on the car.

Hogan pleaded guilty to one count of attempted burglary. If he fails to follow the rules of probation, he could be sent to prison for up to five years.

Bonaventure also ordered Hogan to pay a $500 fine.

Arguments over funeral delayed

A hearing scheduled for a Binion estate matter has been changed from Dec. 4 to Dec. 13.

District Judge Michael Cherry will hear arguments on Dec. 13 as to whether Rick Tabish and Sandy Murphy should be forced to pay Ted Binion's funeral expenses.

Attorneys for the gambling figure's estate believe the pair should pay for Binion's funeral because they were convicted of murdering him, but the pair's attorneys disagree, noting the convictions are being appealed.

The hearing was scheduled to be held Monday, but was rescheduled for Dec. 4, then Dec. 15 and now it will be held Dec. 13.