TV magnate joins Ethics Commission

Friday, Sept. 7, 2001 | 10:24 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- James E. Rogers, who owns television stations including KVBC Channel 3 in Las Vegas, was named to the state Ethics Commission Thursday by the Legislative Commission.

Rogers, who has donated millions to educational programs, will succeed former state Sen. Hal Smith of Henderson on the commission that decides cases concerning whether public officials have violated the ethical guidelines of their offices.

Rogers was suggested by Assembly Majority Leader Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, from four nominees. The others were Robert Owens, pastor of University Fellowship in Sparks; Las Vegas auto dealer Jim Marsh and Dale Fraser, retired former general manager of the Nevada Test Site.

Rogers in 1998 pledged $28.5 million to the Boyd School of Law at UNLV, and has made a record-breaking pledge of $100 million to the University of Arizona College of Law in Tucson.

Rogers, a lawyer by training, is owner and chairman of Sunbelt Communications Co., which owns Channel 3 in Las Vegas and eight other television stations in five Rocky Mountain states.

The Legislative Commission appoints four members to the Ethics Commission,and Gov. Kenny Guinn appoints the other four members.

Rogers joins ChairmanPete Bernhard, William Flangas and Lizzie Hatcher, all from Las Vegas. The other members are Todd Russell of Carson City and Raymond Avansino, Jim Kosinski and Rick Hsu, all of Reno.