Candidates who failed to file could face prosecution

Wednesday, July 25, 2001 | 8:37 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The names of 60 political candidates in the last election have been turned over to the state attorney general's office for possible civil prosecution for failing to file campaign contribution and expense reports.

The list names 27 candidates from Clark County, including Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Wendell Williams, D-Las Vegas, and numerous other Senate and Assembly candidates who didn't win.

Secretary of State Dean Heller Tuesday referred the names to the attorney general for possible legal action. He said those named either failed to file the reports or filed them late and have not paid the fines. The list shows that $250,450 is owed the state.

"Full financial disclosure by candidates is the aim of the law," Heller said. "Voters have a right to full disclosure and a right to the information contained in these reports."

Senior Deputy Attorney General Kateri Cavin said she would review the files and probably send the candidates another letter asking them to submit their reports.

Cavin said the attorney general's office has never filed a civil suit against delinquent candidates. The law says a civil fine of up to $5,000 can be sought against those who don't file or don't pay the late filing fine.

Cavin said Heller's office never submitted the names of late candidates after the 1998 election. In 1996, she said, most of the delinquent candidates filed their information after being contacted by the attorney general's office. No civil action was taken.

Williams, the most notable candidate, could not be reached for comment. The report from the secretary of state's office showed he filed his first report late and was assessed a $1,775 fine. He challenged that and said he had submitted the report on time.

Williams, according to Heller's office, was a day late filing the second report and was fined $25, which is unpaid. And he reportedly owes $5,000 for failing to file the third and final report.

Heller said candidates who failed to file the reports or who were late were informed of the fines levied against them by certified letter. While some letters were returned unclaimed, many more were accepted, he said.

No reports were filed or fines paid by the 60 candidates in response to the mailing. The law requires every candidate for state, district, county or township office to file the three reports that were due Aug. 29 and Oct. 31 last year and Jan. 15 this year.

"The most basic candidate responsibility is to adhere to our state's election laws," Heller said. "In this case, failure to follow the law not only thwarts a candidate's legal responsibility but is a grave disservice to Nevada voters."

Here are the Clark County names turned over to the attorney general's office:

Senate: Richard Gardner, Chris Grant, Lou Toomin.

Assembly: Marion Bennett, Phillip Dane, Ed Flores, Byron Goynes, Jonathan Hansen, Judith Lynn, Todd Clark Poulton, Major Chester Richardson, Mark Scarborough, Harold Sims, Bradley Smith, Wendell Williams and Michael Wisner.

County commission: Joshua Hansen, James Tate, Jeff White, Cheston Williams.

District judge: Jack Howard, Robert Kurth.

State Board of Education: Merv Iverson.

Board of Regents: Juana Jordan, David Phillips.

School Board: Keith Lynam.

Justice of the peace: Victor Miller.

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