Closing arguments expected today in Mack ethics trial

Diana Sahagun

Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2002 | 9:48 a.m.

Las Vegas Councilman Michael Mack was expected to be absent from the afternoon session of today's council meeting as he awaited a verdict in his ethics trial.

Closing arguments in Mack's trial were scheduled for today, after which a verdict was expected from Las Vegas Municipal Judge Bert Brown.

Mack faces four misdemeanor charges of violating the city's ethics code when he voted to postpone and ultimately deny a car dealership proposed in northwest Las Vegas by John Staluppi Jr. Mack did not disclose until after the final June 6, 2001 vote that he owed $60,000 to a rival car dealer who owns land in Town Center, where the city had envisioned an auto mall.

In his opening statement during last week's trial, Mack's attorney Rick Wright said Mack was a "naive" councilman in the middle of running his first campaign and left his financial duties to others.

But the prosecution maintains Mack knew he owed Courtesy Automotive dealer Joseph Scala the money and did not disclose the conflict until a day after two ethics complaints were filed against the councilman.

If Mack is found guilty he would be subject to removal from office. A District Judge has ruled Mack -- if he is convicted -- can stay in office while Wright appeals a motion to dismiss the case.