Ethics panel clears Sparks senator of conflict of interest

Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2002 | 9:13 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Sen. Maurice Washington, R-Sparks, who was re-elected to a third term last month, has been cleared by a panel of the state Ethics Commission of allegations of conflict of interest and abuse of power.

The panel, composed of Commissioners Bill Flangas and Lizzie Hatcher, both of Las Vegas, found there was not sufficient evidence to go forward with a full-blown hearing before the commission.

Washington could not immediately be reached for comment but had previously called the action "frivolous" and denied any wrongdoing.

The complaint was filed in August by Joseph Donohue, a resident of Washoe County, who asked for the commission to rule on Washington's double role in running a public charter school out of his church; his misdemeanor charge for nonpayment of worker's compensation insurance for the school; and his role in keeping two halfway houses for parolees open in Reno neighborhoods.

Donohue could not immediately be reached for comment.

Washington pleaded no contest to the charge of failing to provide worker's compensation insurance at his charter school, Nevada Leadership Academy.

Sentencing in justice court in Sparks was deferred for six months. If Washington does not commit a similar violation, he will be permitted to withdraw his no-contest plea and the charges will be dismissed.

It was Washington's second offense involving industrial insurance coverage. The Center of Hope Christian Fellowship Inc., of which Washington is president, was charged last year with failure to buy an insurance policy to protect workers who might be injured on the job.

At that time, Washington, an ordained minister, entered a plea of no contest. He was fined $70 and ordered to pay $50 in court costs.

Donohue said Washington owned three halfway houses for parolees in northwest Reno. He questioned if there was any impropriety because he owned the homes while he served on the Senate Judiciary Committee and may have voted on matters involving halfway houses.

Washington said he applied for a business license but did not own the businesses. They were owned by a nonprofit board and he served two months on its board.