Editorial: Feds intent on tackling corruption

Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2004 | 8:46 a.m.

The Las Vegas Sun reported Monday that the FBI's investigation into political corruption in Southern Nevada isn't limited to a strip club owner allegedly bribing Clark County officials. Two of the three FBI special agents working on the case say that the probe's focus has shifted to developers and other politicians -- not yet named -- over accusations that money and gifts were accepted in return for political favors.

The investigation involving the strip club owner and politicians already has shaken the political landscape because of just how high the probe has reached. Current Clark County Commissioner Mary Kincaid-Chauncey, former Commissioners Lance Malone, Dario Herrera and Erin Kenny, and former strip club owner Michael Galardi all were indicted in November. Kenny and Galardi have entered into plea agreements in the investigation, which also extends to San Diego, where three city councilmen were indicted.

As if those indictments weren't eye-opening enough, FBI Supervisory Special Agent Kevin Caudle tells the Sun that what "we have so far is just the tip of the iceberg. ... This is not a case on strip clubs. It's a case on the County Commission and what they were willing to sell their souls for." That's some strong language, but FBI agents suggest they can back it up, noting that they have more than 18 months of secretly recorded telephone conversations involving local politicians. Nearly three weeks ago the FBI sent more than 300 letters to politicians, developers and others notifying them that they had been recorded on wiretaps. That doesn't mean 300 people have been implicated in wrongdoing. FBI Special Agent Joe Dickey said there were a lot of people who were recorded who had the opportunity to become involved in illegal activities, but that they did the right thing instead.

We don't know where this investigation is heading, but we're encouraged that the FBI is pursuing the allegations vigorously.