Togliatti named safety chief

Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004 | 11:12 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- George Togliatti, former head of the FBI organized crime strike force in Las Vegas, today was named director of the state Department of Public Safety by Gov. Kenny Guinn.

Togliatti will oversee the Highway Patrol, Capitol Police, divisions of Emergency Management, Fire Marshal, Investigation and Parole and Probation, state Board of Parole Commissioner, Office of Criminal Justice Assistance and Office of Traffic Safety.

Togliatti said he has "been itching" to get back into law enforcement. He has been regional vice president of government, community relations and regulatory compliance for Harrah's Entertainment Inc. in Las Vegas.

Gary Thompson, a spokesman for Harrah's, said Togliatti's departure "is our loss and the state's gain."

Togliatti, 57, spent 23 years with the FBI, managing the organized crime and drug units in Las Vegas and serving as the white-collar crime supervisor.

Togliatti, who will earn $107,433, will succeed Dave Kieckbush, who has been acting director since May, when Richard Kirkland resigned. Kieckbush will return to his previous position as deputy director.

He said since leaving the FBI he has gained a different perspective on law enforcement and homeland security. "I believe I can make a difference," he said.

Guinn said Togliatti "is very well established in our own law enforcement community and nationally respected."

Togliatti said he will find a home in Carson City, where the agency is based, but keep his Las Vegas residence.

Before joining Harrah's, Togliatti was vice president of corporate security, government and community relations for Caesars World Inc.

Guinn also announced that Myla Florence will retire as director of the state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation on April 2. He named Birgit Baker, who heads the employment security division as Florence's replacement.

Florence has been head of the state Division of Aging, Health Division and the welfare division.