Miller testifies Jones’ flier caused his reputation harm

Kim Smith

Tuesday, May 8, 2001 | 10:20 a.m.

Former City Councilman Steve Miller told jurors Monday that although he knew he wasn't going to win the 1991 mayoral race against Jan Laverty Jones, he wanted to lose with dignity.

He said, however, that Jones didn't give him that opportunity. Instead, he testified, she mailed out a libelous flier just before the election.

Miller took the stand Monday in an attempt to persuade jurors that Jones -- through her flier -- caused his reputation irreparable harm in the waning days of the 1991 mayoral race.

Miller was expected to be one of the final witnesses in the trial. Jones' attorney, Bruce Laxalt, might begin his case Wednesday.

Miller testified for about an hour Monday -- mostly about his background in business and charitable work -- and was expected to return to the stand this afternoon.

The flier in question, which was mailed to voters, was filled with headlines from Las Vegas' two daily newspapers, articles and excerpts of those articles.

According to his lawsuit, Miller took issue with a 1988 Las Vegas Sun headline that said he had reported finding cocaine in a vehicle, but he was more irate over a synopsis of the story that appeared in red on the flier.

The synopsis said, "A police detective accuses Miller of giving false information in a report concerning cocaine found in a car Miller was driving."

Miller filed the lawsuit against Jones when she won the mayoral race by a 2-to-1 margin. He claimed she knew the mailer contained false information.

According to court testimony, the substance Miller found was never confirmed to be cocaine because it was thrown away before it could be tested.

Furthermore, Miller wasn't driving the car.

Jones took the stand last week after being called by Miller's attorney, Sam Harding.

Jones said she printed the flier only after verifying that Miller never asked the newspaper for a retraction.

Jones did admit, however, that the synopsis of the drug-related article was in error. It should have said the substance was found in a car Miller "owned" instead of a car he "was driving."

Jones repeatedly said the error was unintentional. She also denied she used the synopsis to portray Miller as a drug abuser.