News briefs for May 3, 2002

Friday, May 3, 2002 | 9:52 a.m.

LV man enters guilty plea

A Las Vegas man has pleaded guilty to two felony counts of bilking four people out of $124,280 in a bank ATM investment scheme.

Douglas K. Bawden, as part of the plea agreement, has agreed to make restitution within the next 30 months to the victims, three of whom live in Las Vegas, said Deputy Attorney General Tracey Brierly.

Brierly said the complaint charged that Bawden told investors he would purchase, install and maintain ATMs throughout the United States, and investors would receive dividends based on surcharge fees from the machines.

The machines were not installed, the money collected from the investments went to pay Bawden's personal expenses and he failed to register the securities he sold with the state.

Las Vegas must fill vacancy

The Las Vegas City Council has less than 30 days to fill a recently vacated Municipal Court judge post, and applications have been flooding in from candidates seeking an appointment.

Late last month, Gov. Kenny Guinn appointed Municipal Judge Michelle Leavitt to replace District Judge James Mahan, who was appointed as a federal district judge.

Goodman said he has either met or received letters from a dozen candidate.

Man says he was knocked out

A Las Vegas man has filed a suit in U.S. District Court alleging three Metro Police officers knocked him unconscious and illegally searched his home.

Robert E. Hauth filed the suit on Thursday, and is asking for an award in excess of $75,000 after suffering "serious psychological and physical injuries."

The suit names Metro Police, Officers William Schoen and E. Hardt and Sgt. Rory Tuggle as defendants.

The officers then allegedly told Hauth they were going to tow his car. Hauth then attempted to shut the door but Schoen stuck his foot in the door, and then forced the door open, according to the suit.

It's alleged that the door hit Hauth in the head, knocking him unconscious and causing him to lose control of his bodily functions. The officers then allegedly illegally searched Hauth's home.

Tuggle is named in the suit for allegedly failing to supervise the officers.

Ann Road detour planned

Beginning today Ann Road between Valley Drive and Allen Lane in North Las Vegas will be closed because of construction.

Drivers are encouraged to use Lone Mountain Road as an alternate route for east-west traffic. Neighbors in the vicinity of the construction will have access via Hammer Lane, the city of North Las Vegas Public Works Department said.

The construction includes off-site improvements for William Lyon Homes and installation of a flood control facility for the city of Las Vegas.

Frehner Construction, which is conducting the construction of the flood control facility, expects its work to be completed in 30 days.

For more information, contact the Transportation Division at 633-1267.

Williams sues community college

The wife of Assemblyman Wendell Williams has filed a lawsuit in Clark County District Court against the Community College of Southern Nevada after a racial epithet was directed at her last year.

Attorney Richard Segerblom, who represents Zelda Williams, filed the suit two weeks ago, after U.S. District Court Judge Philip Pro dismissed the case at the federal level.

Pro ruled that because the University and Community College System of Nevada is a state agency it is in the jurisdiction of Clark County.

Because the school is a governmental agency protected by a state cap, Williams can only seek $50,000, compared to $1.5 million in the federal lawsuit.

While waiting for a meeting on Aug. 17, 2001, Williams overheard former college president Mike Meyer make a racial slur directed at her.