Judge says lawyers in corruption case can look at probe results

Friday, Aug. 13, 2004 | 9:36 a.m.

Lawyers for former Clark County Commissioner Lance Malone and two San Diego city councilmen will be allowed to look at the results of a Justice Department investigation, according to an order filed by a federal judge in California.

The summary of the investigation by the Justice Department's office of professional responsibility is sealed.

The order does not name Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Johnson, but he was investigated by the professional responsibility office last year when allegations surfaced that strip club owner Michael Galardi had provided Johnson with freebies at one or more of Galardi's strip clubs.

Johnson has said that the Justice Department sent him a letter indicating that the allegations were not proven.

But after those allegations, Johnson was removed as the prosecutor in the Las Vegas case against Malone, Clark County Commissioner Mary Kincaid-Chauncey and former Clark County Commissioner Dario Herrera. They are accused of taking bribes from Galardi in exchange for political favors.

Galardi and former Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny have pleaded guilty in the Las Vegas political corruption case, and Galardi has also pleaded guilty in San Diego.