Ethics review panel will make decision on hearing

Erin Neff

Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2000 | 11:17 a.m.

The Las Vegas Ethics Review Board will meet Thursday to determine whether it has enough evidence to conduct a full-fledged hearing into allegations of misconduct by City Councilman Michael McDonald.

The meeting, set for 1:30 p.m. in the 8th floor conference room at City Hall, is designed to find whether just and sufficient cause exists to proceed to a full hearing.

Retiree Bob Rose filed a complaint Sept. 5 alleging McDonald violated city ethics laws related to a controversial church and the possible sale of Las Vegas Sportspark.

Rose's complaint asks the review board to examine McDonald's alleged attempt to broker the sale of Sportspark to help his boss, Larry Scheffler, out of a bad investment.

McDonald toured Sportspark in May with Crazy Horse Too strip club owner Rick Rizzolo. McDonald said the tour was simply to scout a site for a charity softball tournament.

Don Schlesinger, another partner at the Sportspark, said he was under the impression the tour -- led by Scheffler -- was for prospective investors.

Rose gave the review board a copy of a contract which would have sold Sportspark to the city or a third party. That contract was prepared by Rizzolo's attorney, Dean Patti.

The complaint also asks the review board for an opinion on the sudden opening of the Church for Universal Life Enhancement. The church, run by Rizzolo's sister, opened just days before a council vote on a tavern license at a building tapped for sale to a new owner that would turn it into a strip club.

Zoning laws prohibited the adult license because the church was only 219 feet away. But after news stories about the controversy, and the church's ties to Rizzolo, Rizzolo's sister moved her tiny congregation.

Rose alleges McDonald played some role in the church's opening.

Metro Police are also investigating the suggested Sportspark sale and church opening. The FBI is investigating McDonald's lifestyle, including his relationship with Rizzolo, sources tell the Sun.

Rose has also filed a complaint with the state's Ethics Commission.

If the five-member city ethics board finds just and sufficient cause to proceed, the board -- by city law -- must convene a hearing within 30 days.

City code specifies that violations of the ethics law are constituted as a misdemeanor fine, punishable by a $1,000 fine or six months in jail.

"Upon conviction for any violation of this chapter of any public officer or employee, such officer or employee shall immediately forfeit his office or position," the code reads.

The board is comprised of Chairman Earle White Jr., vice-chairman Robert Fleming and members Eileen Brookman, Ida Gaines and Linda Young.

McDonald was cleared by the state Ethics Commission in July for his actions related to a July 1999 vote to grant Republic Services an exclusive trash-hauling contract. But the commissioners chastised McDonald for failing to disclose his relationships with Republic executives and his romantic ties to one of the company's employees.

McDonald declined comment for this story through the city's public information office.