Southern Nevada assemblyman faces questions

Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2003 | 6:45 a.m.

CARSON CITY, Nev. - Nevada's university system wants to know why a young Las Vegas-area woman, employed as a $21,000-a-year clerical trainee at a community college, took unauthorized trips to the Legislature and represented herself as Assemblyman Wendell Williams' assistant.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that University system officials say the woman, Topazia "Bridget" Jones, was hired on Williams' recommendation and that Williams, D-Las Vegas, intervened when her bosses initiated termination proceedings.

In addition, authorities issued a warrant for Williams' arrest for not appearing in Reno Justice Court for a hearing in July on an accusation that he allegedly drove in excess of 100 miles per hour and made unsafe lane changes. The warrant was canceled after Williams, 53, on Friday paid $600. He also drove with a suspended license during the past two years, public records show.

Williams didn't immediately return a phone call to his office Wednesday seeking comment.

Williams chairs the Assembly Education Committee, which oversees the University and Community College System of Nevada. During the recent legislative session, he was speaker pro tem, the second-ranking position in the Assembly. A legislator since 1987, Williams was the first black to preside over Assembly floor sessions.

Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, said Tuesday he'll decide after next year's elections whether Williams will remain on his leadership team.

Perkins also denied allegations in a confidential report, obtained by the Review-Journal, that said Williams asked him to help get $3 million in state funds to lease land in West Las Vegas for use by Nevada State College.

In exchange for helping with the lease, Jones was expected to get an administrative position at Nevada State College, according to the report.

John Cummings, the lobbyist for the Community College of Southern Nevada, said he hired Jones to her clerical job in January based on Williams' recommendation. Williams identified Jones as a friend last week but denied that he played any role in her employment.

University system Chancellor Jane Nichols has launched an investigation into the employment of Jones. Nichols blocked moves to fire Jones, pending the results of the investigation. Nichols said Williams alleged Jones was being harassed.

Regent Steve Sisolak expressed outrage that Jones might have received special treatment.

"We get all kinds of applicants for jobs," he said. "How does she get hired to a job so quickly? I certainly hope she wasn't taking these trips at college expense. It makes you wonder."

Ron Remington, president of the Community College of Southern Nevada, defended the hiring of Jones.

"In the case of Ms. Jones, we had an opening and an articulate, bright young African-American woman," he said. "It was position she qualified for."