Weekly’s campaign fax called accident

Judy Odierna

Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2003 | 9:20 a.m.

A press release promoting a campaign event for Las Vegas Councilman Lawrence Weekly was sent out through the Metro Police Department's fax machine, and a spokesman says it was a technological mistake.

According to the Metro personnel bylaws, while on duty or acting under "color of law" members shall not solicit or make contributions directly or indirectly, on any pretext, to any person, committee or association for political purposes. They are also prohibited from interfering or using the influence of their office for political reasons.

If someone were to violate the rule, any penalties are based on disciplinary guidelines and the background of the individual who may be at fault.

Lt. Vincent Cannito said in this case, it was just a mistake in which the faxes were "commingled."

"We can make up as many assumptions as we want but the bottom line is we don't know how it happened," Cannito said. "We never received a hard copy in the office. It got mixed up inside the machine with other faxes going out."

Weekly said he, too, believes it was an honest mistake.

"I really do believe it was an unintentional mistake from someone in their office," Weekly said. "I think they handled it professionally by acknowledging it was a mistake."

At least one of Weekly's opponents doesn't buy it.

Gene Collins, who is running against Weekly for the Ward 5 seat in the April 8 primary alongside candidate Jefferson Lee, says there was no reason why Metro should have received the fax in the first place. "Why would Weekly send something to Metro in the first place?" Collins asked. "I don't think it was a mistake, regardless of what they want us to believe. Professional people don't make silly mistakes like that, of something going out and no one knowing how it went out. I hope in the future they will think twice before (resorting) to this type of behavior."

Weekly's other challenger, Lee, said he knew nothing about the incident and said it did not affect his campaign.