16 fail to pay late-filing fines

Thursday, Oct. 24, 2002 | 9:16 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The state Ethics Commission disclosed Wednesday that 16 office holders or political candidates -- including John Hunt, who is running for attorney general -- have failed to pay their fines for late filing of their financial disclosure statements.

Commission Executive Secretary Stacy Jennings said the commission will take the cases to small claims court to collect the delinquency.

Hunt, a Democratic candidate for attorney general, owes $25 for submitting his statement one day late. Hunt's press secretary Sharyn Stein said there must be a mistake but added: "We will take care of it" immediately.

Stein said a $25 check was sent previously. But she said another $25 check would be sent Federal Express and Jennings should have the money today.

The list shows Assemblyman Morse Arberry, D-Las Vegas, owes $525 for late submittal of the report. Arberry also owes $25 to the secretary of state for filing his campaign expense report one day late.

Reno City Councilwoman Sherie Doyle is facing the biggest penalty, $1,875 for not submitting her annual report on time.

Bill Hiett, a Republican candidate for governor from Ely, owes $50. Hiett also owes the secretary of state's office $4,075 for failing to file a campaign expense report.

There were three candidates from the Independent American Party running for Assembly who were fined for late reporting. They are Warren Stephens in Assembly District 19 in Clark County, who owes $50; Peggy Williams in Assembly District 1, who owes $50 and Marianne Stevens in Assembly District 31 in Sparks, who owes $25.

Stevens also owes the secretary of state $4,075 for not filing her campaign expenses report. She has asked Secretary of State Dean Heller to waive the fine.