News briefs for October 4, 2001

Thursday, Oct. 4, 2001 | 8:50 a.m.

Sex with student draws 8-year term

A former Las Vegas teacher accused of having sex with a student was sentenced Wednesday to two to eight years in prison.

Newell Leavitt, 48, pleaded guilty in July to statutory sexual seduction and admitted that prosecutors had enough evidence to convict him of child abuse causing substantial mental harm.

According to police, the 15-year-old victim in February went to Lyal Burkholder Middle School in Henderson to pick up a younger sister and was assaulted by Leavitt after visiting with other teachers at the school.

By entering a plea agreement, Leavitt avoided a trial and a possible life sentence.

District Judge Kathy Hardcastle gave Leavitt 12 to 32 months for the seduction charge and two to eight years for the child abuse charge, but the judge decided that Leavitt would serve the sentences simultaneously, Deputy District Attorney Bill Kephart said.

Driver charged in wife's death

A Las Vegas man has been indicted on felony charges in connection with an accident that resulted in the death of his wife in April.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Gary Booker said John Wayne Moran was indicted Tuesday on charges of driving under the influence, reckless driving and involuntary manslaughter.

Police said Moran was traveling too fast on Alexander Road when he ran a stop sign at Buffalo Drive and passed through barricades set up to warn of a road-widening project. The car hit several rock piles in the construction zone and flipped several times.

Moran's wife, Donna Moran, 39, was thrown from the vehicle and was killed when the car landed on her.

Booker said Moran's blood alcohol level was 0.12 shortly after the accident.

Moran is not related to the late Sheriff John Moran and attorney John Moran Jr.

Moran will be arraigned by District Judge Michael Douglas next week.

Don't pass along e-mail warnings

If you have received an e-mail warning referring to the so-called Klingerman virus, don't believe it.

The hoax, which has been around for more than a year and has become an urban legend, warns people not to open blue envelopes or gift packages. Those who ignore the warning can become ill with a viral infection, according to the hoax.

The Klingerman rumor resurfaced after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. But the rumor has been debunked by the U.S. Postal Service and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"There is no 'Klingerman virus,' and the information in the e-mail notice is untrue," the CDC stated. "If you receive an e-mail message about 'Klingerman virus,' please do not forward it to others."

State buys women's facility in NLV

Corrections Corporation of America on Wednesday announced that it has completed the sale of the women's prison in North Las Vegas to the state for $24.1 million.

CCA will continue to run the prison under a management contract with the state. About 500 inmates are housed at the prison.

The state exercised its right to purchase the prison under the terms of a 20-year lease agreement with the company. By purchasing the 14 buildings at the prison now rather than pay on the lease over the next 14 years, state officials said they saved taxpayers $1.4 million.

CCA said it would use the money to pay outstanding debts.

Faulty alarm sends workers scurrying

About 100 employees responding to a fire alarm quickly evacuated the state Capitol Wednesday morning.

In the past, some workers have lingered in the building after the alarm went off. But in a time of heightened security, all employees quickly left the building.

Capitol Police Sgt. Brad Valladon said an equipment malfunction touched off the alarm. Workers were permitted to return to their jobs in 15 minutes at the offices of the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state controller and treasurer.

Nevada to receive $70,000 in deal

Nevada will receive $70,000 as part of a $56.7 million national settlement with TAP Pharmaceutical Products, Inc.

Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa said Wednesday the company that markets the prostrate cancer-treating drug Lupron was accused of price irregularities in sales to the Medicaid and Medicare programs.

She said TAP will pay the federal government $524.3 million, and it will plead guilty to charges of conspiracy to violate the prescription drug marketing act.

Silicosis benefits added to legislation

Nevada Test Site workers who developed lung disease as a result of being exposed to dust may benefit under a Defense Department budget bill approved by the Senate on Wednesday.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., assistant majority leader, placed both provisions in the defense authorization bill, which is headed for a congressional conference committee.

Under current compensation programs, the disability benefits of retired veterans were deducted from their retirement pay. Reid's measure would allow veterans to receive disability benefits in addition to retirement compensation.

Nuclear workers who developed silicosis while digging tunnels at the Test Site could not receive up to $150,000 in benefits unless it was determined the disease had reached an advanced stage. The proposal allows all workers with silicosis to receive the benefits.

Gammon promoted to new position

Las Vegas Fire Department Chief David Washington has appointed a 17-year veteran of the department to serve as deputy chief.

Greg Gammon was selected to serve as second in command at the department after serving as a battalion chief for three years and a captain for seven years before that.

Gammon joined the department in 1984 and joins three other deputy chiefs with the department. Gammon will serve as head of fire prevention and will act as the city's fire marshal.

Winckler to retire as local president

Garth Winckler, president of the local chapter of the United Way, will retire at the end of the year.

Winckler joined the United Way in 1975. He worked as a community planner for the Southern Nevada chapter for five years before becoming the executive director of United Way of Ashlanda County, Ohio. In 1985 he became president presidency of United Way of Southern Nevada and returned to Las Vegas.

During his presidency, Winckler saw campaign donations increase from less than $3 million to more than $12 million. He also doubled the number of programs funded by the United Way.

Louise Helton, president of the Junior League, said Winckler used his business sense in developing community projects.

"He's certainly a very valuable asset to our entire community," she said. "He has a great deal of insight on how we can solve some of the social illnesses in our community."

During the next three months Winckler will focus on a new fund created by the United Way designed to help workers laid off as a result of the recent economic downturn.