Williams misses deadline again for campaign finance reports

Monday, Sept. 16, 2002 | 10:58 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The secretary of state's office reports up to 32 political candidates, including Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Wendell Williams have failed to file their campaign contribution reports that were due Aug. 27.

In addition, up to 35 candidates submitted their forms late, Campaign Finance Officer Kristi Geiser said.

Two rural counties had not reported their campaign finance disclosures as of this morning.

Still, the incomplete numbers reflected a better showing than two years ago, when about 200 candidates did not file reports or were late in the last disclosure before the primary election, she said.

Letters are going out this week to the tardy candidates. Those who have not filed a report already face $1,075 in fines. That can rise by $100 a day each day the forms are not filed, to a maximum of $5,000.

Those who submitted their reports late are being notified the amount of their fine.

Secretary of State Dean Heller can waive the fine if he finds good cause.

Williams, D-Las Vegas, the only incumbent who failed to submit a campaign report this year, paid a $6,800 fine in the 2000 election for being late or failing to file a report.

Williams submitted his first report late and was assessed a $1,775 fine in 2000. His second report was late by one day and he was fined $25. His third report was never been filed, resulting in a $5,000 penalty.

Candidates are required to file three reports, one before the primary election, one before the general election and one Jan. 25, 2003.

He filed the portion of the third report that lists contributions late, but he did not detail his expenses, meaning his report was considered unfiled. Senior Deputy Attorney General Kateri Cavin said she will pursue legal action against Williams to get him to file the expense form.

Williams could not be reached for comment this morning.

Cavin said the secretary of state's office will wait for the final report filing in January before turning over the names of the tardy candidates to the attorney general's office for legal action.