Heller calls complaint by Hansen just ‘a bizarre rant’

Monday, Oct. 21, 2002 | 9:18 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Secretary of State Dean Heller says a complaint filed against him by an opponent in the Independent American Party is nothing more than "a bizarre rant."

Heller, in a letter to the state Ethics Commission, said Christopher Hansen in bringing the complaint is "attempting to rationalize his own failure to comply with Nevada's election statutes and regulation."

Hansen complained to the Ethics Commission that the secretary of state made a false campaign statement to the media when he said that Hansen "wants to be secretary of state and he won't even follow the rules he's supposed to enforce."

The Ethics Commission will conduct a hearing Wednesday on the Hansen complaint and the request by Heller that it be dismissed. The commission, in its last hearing, dismissed a complaint involving campaign comments, calling it a freedom of speech issue.

Heller, in a letter dated Oct. 16, said there is substantial evidence of "Hansen's repeated refusal to comply" with the campaign finance disclosure laws.

The secretary of state said his "statement was true and is supported by the fact that Mr. Hansen has continually refused to follow the campaign finance disclosure laws of the state of Nevada." He said the laws are valid and have never been declared unconstitutional by a court.

Heller said Hansen has failed to show that a false statement was made; that the comment was made with malice; or that it impeded the Hansen campaign.

In trying to show that his campaign was damaged, Hansen said he submitted letters to the Ethics Commission from people who have reconsidered making contributions.

Heller said those people appear to live out of state and have no legitimate interest in the success of the Hansen campaign. He said there is no evidence the letters are authentic. Those who signed were not sworn to tell the truth.

Hansen is one of the 21 members of the IAP who refused to submit information on their campaign and expense report filed Aug. 27 before the primary election. He and the others face fines of $4,075.