Attorney says Jones not target in fed probe

Jace Radke

Monday, June 28, 2004 | 9:14 a.m.

The attorney for a Community College of Southern Nevada clerical worker who has been subpoenaed to testify before a federal grand jury next month says the clerk is not a target in an FBI investigation.

Topazia "Briget" Jones, who filed the university system complaint that led to the demotions of CCSN President Ron Remington and his adviser and lobbyist John Cummings, was questioned by the FBI Thursday.

"I have no idea what direction the FBI's investigation is moving in, but I know that they want my client as a witness and that she is cooperating," Jones' attorney, Larry Semenza, said.

Jones has been at the center of a controversy over lobbying and hiring practices at CCSN, and issues relating to the controversy were discussed in her interview with FBI agents, Semenza said.

"I wasn't there but the nature of the interview pertained to her employment at the community college and at the Legislature," Semenza said.

He added that the $49,000 settlement of a lawsuit between Assemblyman Wendell Williams' wife and the college system was also something that the FBI asked Jones about.

FBI spokesman Todd Palmer confirmed that Jones was interviewed, but would not comment on the scope and nature of the investigation.

Semenza said that Williams is also his client and has not been contacted by the FBI.

The University and Community College System of Nevada last year looked into allegations of improper hiring practices, harassment and lobbying efforts. The report also brought up a settlement with Williams' wife, Zelda Williams.

The investigator, Jeffrey Cohen, outlined a potential tie between the settlement and legislation that CCSN officials wanted.

Jones was hired by Cummings and was a self-proclaimed assistant to Williams, who in the 2003 Legislature served as chairman of the Education Committee.

According to the 1,026-page investigative report and transcripts of the November closed personnel session obtained by the Sun, university regents were concerned about the legislation and the settlement and agreed to forward the report to the FBI and the state attorney general's office.

In an October 2003 whistleblower complaint, Cummings accused Williams of abusing his elected office.

Cummings alleges Williams was threatening to not allow university system legislation if his wife's lawsuit wasn't settled. Zelda Williams had sued the system because a CCSN interim president had used a racial slur in front of her. Williams is black.

Sun reporter

Ed Koch contributed to this story.