Campaign reports warning issued

Friday, Feb. 8, 2002 | 9:34 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Public officials who filed last year's financial disclosure statements late have been warned not to repeat the offense.

The state Ethics Commission Thursday reduced the proposed civil fines for 20 public officials, including two judges, who were delinquent in submitting reports last year.

Commissioner Jim Rogers said the violations should not be tolerated.

The commission agreed to reduce the proposed fines of $14,575 to $500 for Justice of the Peace Victor L. Miller in Clark County and District Judge Jerome Polaha of Reno.

Commission Executive Director Polly Hamilton said there was a misunderstanding on the part of Miller, who complied with the law in 2000. Judges were required to file with the state Administrative Office of the Courts and with the Ethics Commission.

The 2001 Legislature changed the rule so that judges submit their reports only to the court administrative office.

The commission agreed to waive the fines of 42 public officials "for good cause." Commissioner Rick Hsu said some had "strong personal circumstances that prevented them from filing." In some cases, he said, the individual turned it over to his staff, who forgot to mail it.

While these reports were a few days late, there was substantial compliance, said Hsu, who worked on a subcommittee to determine what penalties should be waived.