News briefs for February 18, 2004

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2004 | 11:55 a.m.

Feds clear police officer

The Justice Department has not charged a former Boulder City Police officer in an August 2002 arrest of a 73-year-old Las Vegas man that apparently left the man with three broken ribs, a spokeswoman said.

Natalie Collins, spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney's office in Las Vegas, said she could not comment further on the case, however, the city said Tuesday that the officer had been cleared of wrongdoing.

Robert Parker accused Officer Joseph "Tony" Norte of violating his civil rights and using excessive force during an Aug. 15, 2002, traffic stop. Parker was a passenger in a car stopped by officers Norte and Steve Hampe, who pulled it over because it was suspected of being involved in a hit-and-run accident in Las Vegas.

In September 2002 a city police board determined Parker's accusations against Norte were unfounded, and Police Chief Bill Turk requested the FBI investigate the claims.

Norte resigned from the force in March 2003.

American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada Executive Director Gary Peck criticized the finding.

"I have absolutely no confidence in the Justice Department to objectively investigate and hold local law enforcement accountable," he said. "That's why we have courts and lawsuits and trials with juries comprised of ordinary folks."

Boulder City recall effort nears end

Petitions to recall Boulder City's mayor and one City Council member and put opponents for both seats on a special election ballot were expected to be delivered to the City Clerk today, a leader of the recall effort said Tuesday.

If the petitions pass the scrutiny of the city clerk's office and the Clark County registrar of voters, Boulder City would have a special election within the next two months, officials said.

The petitions seek elections to pit Mayor Bob Ferraro against former Councilman Bill Smith and Councilman Mike Pacini against businessman Arn McLean.

Ferraro defeated Smith in the June mayoral election by 18 votes.

Denis to run for Assembly

Moises "Mo" Denis announced Tuesday he will run again for Assembly District 28. The Democrat ran for the seat in 2002 but lost by 63 votes in the primary to Vonne Chowning.

Chowning, however, has announced she will leave the seat this year to run against County Commissioner Mary Kincaid-Chauncey.

Denis, a 42-year-old father of five, is a computer network technician for the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada. He pledged in his announcement that he would resign from the public position if questions were to arise about his serving in the Assembly as a public employee.

He has lived in the Las Vegas area for more than 30 years and has served in various community organizations, including as the state treasurer of the Nevada PTA and as the chairman of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District Board.