Counsel named in Mack case

Jeffrey Libby

Friday, Dec. 7, 2001 | 9:30 a.m.

Las Vegas Councilman Michael Mack is scheduled to spend Valentine's Day testifying at a long-delayed hearing before the Las Vegas Ethics Review Board.

The date was chosen by John Graves Jr., a Las Vegas criminal and family law attorney appointed by the review board on Thursday to serve as its special counsel for the hearing.

In June, Mack led a City Council vote to deny an application for a car dealership on Rancho Drive proposed by rival dealer John Staluppi Jr. Mack argued the dealership did not fit the council's vision for the Town Center commercial area proposed for growing northwest.

Shortly after the vote Mack disclosed that he had a $60,000 outstanding loan from car dealer Joseph Scala.

Mack's attorney, Richard Wright, suggested delaying the hearing six weeks to allow Graves time to familiarize himself with the case.

But Graves asked to delay the hearing until Feb. 14.

Graves, 58, has practiced law in Nevada since 1973. In addition to his private practice, he serves as one of two state hearing officers who judge termination and demotion cases for state employees. He has also represented Metro Police officers and deputies of the Nye County Sheriff's Office in disciplinary hearings.

Earle White Jr., chairman of the review board, recommended Graves on the basis of conversations White had with other lawyers, he said.

"I've known John a long time," White said.

Graves, however, was not first in line. White, who said he first contacted Graves on Wednesday, has been searching for an attorney to serve as special counsel since September.

Mack's scheduled Nov. 5 hearing was delayed because White had not yet found a special counsel. The review board planned to the conduct the hearing Thursday, but instead only appointed counsel.

"It turned out my expectations and ability to find someone willing to serve as counsel were overestimated," White said.

Several attorneys White asked to serve claimed conflicts of interest or prior family obligations, he said.

Mack attended the meeting but did not speak other than to say a general "howdy" to the board.

In a phone interview Thursday, Mack said he was looking forward to resolving the issue "once and for all."

"It needs to be behind us," Mack said. "It puts pressure not only on me, but the rest of the council as well."