Ethics panel agrees to delay Deane hearing

Wednesday, March 10, 2004 | 9:45 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The state Ethics Commission has granted a request by the attorney for Clark County Recorder Frances Deane to delay the public hearing on charges of misconduct against Deane.

The hearing was originally set for April 14 in Henderson, but Commission Chairman Rick Hsu on Tuesday approved the request of attorney Lew Brandon Jr. to delay the hearing. Brandon said he has a conflict with existing trials scheduled for April 14.

The hearing is now scheduled for June 9-10.

Brandon says the allegations against Deane are "preposterous." He said he wants a hearing before the commission to counter the accusations Deane did anything wrong.

A two-person panel of the Ethics Commission found there was "just and sufficient cause" to hold a complete hearing to examine allegations that Deane tried to set up a private company to compete with her elective office in dispensing information.

She is also accused of favoritism toward title companies in the filing of documents over those submitted by the general public.

Deane, in documents submitted to the Ethics Commission, has denied the allegations, which were brought by Vicky Hedderman, president of Local 1107 of the Service Employees International Union, which represents some of the workers in Deane's office.