Complaint filed against Perkins, Henderson with AG’s office

Thursday, Feb. 5, 2004 | 9:13 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A complaint has been filed with the office of Secretary of State Dean Heller alleging that Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins and Henderson violated the law by failing to file campaign finance reports.

The allegations were made by Lee Wayne Haynes of Las Vegas and were received Monday in the office. Perkins is the deputy police chief in Henderson. Haynes claimed the salary of Perkins from the city is a campaign contribution and that the city is a political action committee.

"I don't think (Haynes) understands the law," Perkins said.

Ronda L. Moore, deputy secretary of state for elections, said Wednesday the complaint would be reviewed to see if there is a violation. She said Perkins and the city would be asked to respond. She added she may require more information be submitted.

Haynes said Henderson "made unusual expenditures of city funds" to maintain Perkins in the Assembly for what he called an unfair benefit to the city. He said an example occurred in the 2001 Legislature, when Perkins exerted pressure to transfer tax dollars from Las Vegas to Henderson.

Haynes said Assemblyman Wendell Williams testified before the Las Vegas City Council in November that Perkins threatened to kill all of Williams' bills if he did not support the transfer of the tax dollars.

Perkins disputed the claim, saying "I don't operate that way."

He said Henderson was being shortchanged in the distribution of local tax revenue because of its fast growth.

The tax distribution is based, in part, on population.