Columnist Jeff German: Investigators will push for indictment of Moncrief

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2004 | 11:13 a.m.

The last thing Las Vegas needs is another political scandal, but that's what it's getting.

State agents, I'm told, are winding up an investigation into the muddled 2003 campaign finances of City Councilwoman Janet Moncrief.

They're looking to ask a Clark County grand jury to indict the maverick councilwoman, who hasn't even been in office a year, on criminal charges as early as the end of this month.

Any elected official who is convicted of a felony faces automatic removal from office under NRS 283.040. So this investigation is likely to have far-reaching ramifications for the seven-member City Council if charges are filed.

The case against Moncrief, I'm told, involves her alleged failure to report more than $100,000 in campaign contributions during her heated race with the man she unseated in June, former City Councilman Michael McDonald.

Investigators have uncovered evidence that the Moncrief campaign spent a lot more money than it reported.

A team of agents with the Investigation Division of the Nevada Department of Public Safety has been working the case, which is being presented to the grand jury by the attorney general's office. A county grand jury is being used because the state does not have its own panel to investigate criminal matters.

Witnesses have appeared before the grand jury since December and more are expected to testify before charges are sought.

On Tuesday Moncrief said she hadn't done anything wrong.

"I guess they can indict a hamburger if they choose to do it," she said.

Investigators have not yet interviewed Moncrief, but within days they plan to inform her in writing that they are seeking an indictment against her.

The charges stem from a complaint McDonald's campaign manager, Jim Ferrence, filed against Moncrief last April. Ferrence asked Secretary of State Dean Heller to probe allegations Moncrief had not reported all of her contributions. Ferrence contended McDonald was the victim of mysteriously financed campaign hit pieces as the primary drew to a close.

In August Heller saw that the probe was too big for him, and he asked the Investigation Division, which handles criminal matters, to take it over.

There has been much speculation that wealthy gambler Bob Stupak, who has dated Moncrief, secretly bankrolled her campaign.

Stupak wasn't talking on Tuesday. His only comment: "Have a nice day."

But Moncrief said: "If he was doing anything, I don't know what he was doing, and it had nothing to do with me."

So far, I'm told, the former casino man, who also has not been interviewed by agents, is getting a pass in the investigation.

It's no secret that agents would love to talk to Moncrief behind closed doors about Stupak's role in her campaign.

If Moncrief ends up having that discussion with agents, it could make for some interesting future dates between her and Stupak.

Either way, however, Moncrief's future in politics looks bleaker today.