Motion calls for dismissal of ethics suit

Thursday, Nov. 30, 2000 | 11:10 a.m.

A lawsuit filed against two Clark County Commissioners who are accused of trying to help a political ally win a coffee concession at McCarran International Airport is baseless and should be dismissed, according to a motion filed by the county in federal court.

County Commissioners Yvonne Atkinson Gates and Dario Herrera are accused in the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court Nov. 6 of using their influence with airport officials in attempt to win Sharyn Brown a coffee concession at the airport's C terminal. Brown is the owner of SB Specialties Inc., a gourmet coffee business, and the wife of Jay Brown, who is active in Nevada politics as a fund-raiser for Democrats.

The lawsuit was filed by Dan Ayala, the owner of a competing coffee business. The lawsuit sought a preliminary injunction against the awarding of the contract. A hearing scheduled on that matter was postponed Wednesday until a latter date.

According to a motion filed recently on behalf of the commissioners, Atkinson Gates and Herrera deny using their political influence on behalf of Brown and the lawsuit should be dismissed.

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