Rhodes’ plea date delayed

Friday, Sept. 1, 2000 | 11:14 a.m.

North Las Vegas Councilman John Rhodes will plead Thursday to a second set of felony charges that he tried to defraud his insurance company after an alleged burglary at his home in 1997.

Rhodes had been scheduled to plead this morning, but District Judge Kathy Hardcastle granted the postponement until Thursday. Rhodes' attorney, Robert Lucherini, asked for the delay so he can file additional motions.

Rhodes is already facing two felony counts of attempting to defraud his insurance company concerning another alleged burglary at his home in 1998. A trial on those charges has been set for Oct. 2. Lucherini said he plans to file a motion asking for a postponement of that trial.

Deputy Attorney General Greg Hojnowski said he will file a motion next week to consolidate both indictments.

If Rhodes is convicted of a felony, he would be required to step down from his seat on the City Council.

The second indictment stems from a Feb. 10, 1997, alleged burglary that police had originally classified as vandalism.

The attorney general's office charges that Rhodes was not living at the home at the time and that he did not have any personal property within the home.