Public officials face fines over disclosure forms

Monday, Jan. 7, 2002 | 9:44 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Seventy-five elected and other public officials are facing fines ranging from $25 to $14,575 for failing to file their financial disclosure statements on time to the state Ethics Commission.

The commission meets Thursday in Carson City to appoint a panel of its members to review requests for waivers or reductions of penalties.

The financial disclosure statements were to be filed by April 2, 2001. All public officials and judges, whether appointed or elected, must file the statements annually.

The fines increase the later the statements are filed, Polly Hamilton, executive secretary of the commission, said. It's $25 a day for up to seven days; from seven days to 15 days late, the penalty is $50 a day. After 15 days it's an additional $100 a day.

Officials have until Jan. 15 to request waivers or reduction of the penalties, Hamilton said.

The panel will have the authority to waive fines. Officials who don't pay could face civil lawsuits.

The list of those failing to file on time include U.S. District Judge Kent Dawson of Las Vegas, who was a justice of the peace in Clark County; District Judge Jerry Polaha of Reno; and Justice of the Peace Victor Miller of Boulder City.

The three -- who may face the maximum $14,575 in fines -- submitted their financial statements in September, Hamilton said.

Dawson may not have been required to file, since he was elevated to the federal bench in 2000, Hamilton said.

Only one member of the Legislature was late: Sen. Maurice Washington, R-Sparks, who was tardy one day and faces a $25 fine.

The disclosure form requires listing the source of income but not the amounts. Real estate valued at more than $2,500, other than a personal residence, must be listed, and creditors must be revealed if the debt is more than $5,000.

Gifts of more than $200 must also be listed, unless the gift came from a family member or was for such events as a birthday or wedding.