LV officials expect results soon from Williams’ probe

Sito Negron

Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2003 | 9:47 a.m.

Las Vegas city officials could have results from their investigation into Assemblyman Wendell Williams' spring 2003 time cards today, even as they work to unravel questions about his and Assemblyman Morse Arberry's claims for time worked while the Legislature was in session in 2001.

Williams works in the city of Las Vegas Neighborhood Services Department, where Arberry also worked until early 2002. Both are Democratic legislators.

The city is investigating Williams' allegations that he was pressured by a supervisor into altering his time cards when the media began looking into how much he was paid while he was serving in the Legislature this spring. Williams says his signature also was forged on some time cards. City officials said some cards were signed by Michael Chambliss, another employee of the Neighborhood Services Department.

Williams ended up agreeing to pay the city back $6,700, but then gave several interviews in which he claimed he only did it to be a "team player." He accused Neighborhood Services Director Sharon Segerblom -- under direction of the city manager's office -- of pressuring him into altering the time cards to try to help the city save face.

Last week, Mayor Oscar Goodman directed the city auditor, who reports to the mayor, to look at the results of that investigation, which is being overseen by City Manager Doug Selby.

Selby said that his office, the city auditor and the city attorney will investigate issues involved with the time cards from 2001.

"We don't know the scope of (the auditor's) ultimate investigation, but it's focused initially on the 2001 time card issue for both employees," Selby said. Also, he said, "He'll take a look at what we did in the 2003 and what actions were taken by the city manager's office."

In 2003, Williams billed the city for more than 700 hours, and has agreed to pay the city back $6,700 for 208 hours. In 2001, he charged the city for 880 hours, including 208.25 in sick leave, between Feb. 3 and June 23. Arberry noted 1,040 hours in 2001, including 190 hours of sick time, in a similar time frame.

The city sick leave policy allows time off for illness or injury, to attend a funeral, to care for an immediate family member, and to attend a medical or dental appointment. City officials have said that more than eight incidents of sick leave in a 12-month period is considered excessive.

"It looks like an excessive amount of time was charged as sick leave, but I'm going to wait for the full findings of the city auditor before I conclude anything," said Selby.

Segerblom has been directed not to speak with the media until the investigation is complete. Williams, a senior management analyst in Neighborhood Services, has refused to answer the Sun's questions since September. Arberry, who was deputy director of the department when he left in early 2002, said in an earlier interview with the Sun that his time cards were above board.

Williams is a senior management analyst in Neighborhood Services, and Arberry, who left the city in early 2002, was deputy director of the department.