Hunt answers Heller’s query with sworn statement

Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2002 | 9:54 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- John Hunt, the Democratic candidate for attorney general, has submitted a sworn statement saying that he never violated Nevada's election laws, and many of his backers are denying misconduct in the handling of campaign contributions.

The statement and letters were submitted to Secretary of State Dean Heller Monday, the deadline Heller set for the Hunt campaign to answer allegations by his Republican opponent Brian Sandoval.

Some of the replies sharply criticized Heller, accusing him of playing politics to help the campaign of fellow Republican Sandoval.

Hunt's lawyer, Donald Campbell, in a letter attached to the Hunt sworn statement, said the investigation by Heller "is nothing more than partisan propaganda."

Campbell said Heller has timed his investigation "to inflict the maximum negative publicity possible to the Hunt campaign" as the election nears.

Susan Bilyeu, deputy secretary for elections, said the office was doing its duty as called for in the law. She said she would wait a few days until all those who have been questioned mail in their answers.

Heller, the chief election officer of the state, has previously denied partisan politics were involved.

Sandoval's campaign manager, Peter Ernaut, initially filed a complaint with Heller's office claiming that there appeared to be a bundling of campaign contributions and that financier Michael Shustek may have funneled money through his employees and others to the Hunt campaign.

Ernaut said at least $158,500 out of $582,000 in Hunt collections came from Shustek, his companies and employees. He questioned whether the employees received raises or bonuses to cover contributions or whether they served as a "pass through" for Shustek to circumvent contribution limits.

Nevada law limits individual contributions to $5,000 in the primary election and $5,000 in the general election.

Shustek is head of Vestin Mortgage, Shustek Investments and Del Mar Mortgage. He denied he funneled money through others into the Hunt campaign.

Many of the employees have already submitted statements denying money was funneled through them or that they were reimbursed for making the contributions.

Heller had asked the contributors to respond to the allegations and asked for them to submit a sworn affidavit if they desired.

Hunt was the only one who submitted a sworn statement. Some of the others complained about the Heller inquiry.

Alan Sklar, a Las Vegas attorney, said he found the inquiry "highly insulting" and said he only responded to put an end to the controversy.

Donovan Jacobs, an attorney from El Cajon, Calif., complained about his privacy being invaded by Heller. He said Heller, in asking for a second round of letters and possible affidavits, ignored the advice of Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa.

"You have gone outside standard practices and now request the response to be in form of a sworn affidavit," said Jacobs. He questioned whether Heller has asked for the same information from Sandoval.

He said he wanted Heller's reply in a sworn affidavit.

Campbell, in his letter to Heller, said, "You will find enclosed herewith the affidavit of Mr. Hunt which responds to your loaded, suggestive and grammatically infirm inquiries. ... Without the slightest regard, I am, Donald Campbell."