Ethics complaints continue

Adrienne Packer

Thursday, June 14, 2001 | 11:08 a.m.

The convoluted saga of ethics complaints against Clark County officials continues next week when a former department chief and his boss appear before the Nevada Ethics Commission.

Bill Barrett, former facilities division boss and a friend of some Clark County commissioners, and general services director Earl Hawkes submitted lists totalling 30 witnesses to defend them at next Thursday's hearing.

The public hearings are for only two of a series of related cases filed since January by former Clark County facilities worker Gene Smith.

Smith accuses Barrett of campaigning on county time for commissioner Mary Kincaid-Chauncey. Kincaid-Chauncey's ethics case, which focused on her close relationship with Barrett, was dismissed in April.

The friendship between Barrett, who in February retired under pressure from county administrators, and Kincaid-Chauncey caught the attention of ethics panelists reviewing another complaint filed against Commissioner Erin Kenny.

Two witnesses on Barrett's cast of defenders scheduled to testify Thursday reflect that relationship.

Kristopher Swan and Daniel Smith, who were hired into the facilities division when Barrett was chief, both listed Kincaid-Chauncey's home phone number as their own on their department phone log.

Kincaid-Chauncey, who raised nearly two dozen foster children, has said she reared neither Swan nor Daniel Smith. Smith began renting a room from Kincaid-Chauncey in 1998. Swan is pictured in a 2000 campaign flier that features her extended family.

Barrett resigned from the county Feb. 7. The next day he started a business -- RBWJB LLC -- with Randy Black Jr., son of Kincaid-Chauncey's friend and major campaign contributor Randy Black Sr.

Whether Barrett and his attorney John Moran Jr. will march in all of the listed witnesses is unknown. Moran Jr. could not be reached for comment Wednesday, but Polly Hamilton, executive director of the Ethics Commission, doesn't expect all 26 witnesses to testify.

Barrett's campaign practices have been documented by Clark County administrators. He was admonished in August 2000 for wearing a Kincaid-Chauncey campaign T-shirt while driving his government vehicle.

The footage of Barrett campaigning while on duty -- a violation of county policy -- was captured by union members and turned over to a news station.

Hawkes' hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday in Room 4401 at the Grant Sawyer Building; Barrett's case will be heard at 3 p.m.