Perkins considers retiring from Henderson Police

Kirsten Searer

Thursday, March 11, 2004 | 11:18 a.m.

Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins said he might retire from his full-time job as a Henderson Police deputy chief because of the ongoing concerns about public employees serving in the Legislature.

Perkins, D-Henderson, said he could retire in February, just before the next Legislative session begins.

"It's one of the options available to me," he said. "I don't know that I could say I'm leaning towards it or against it. It's just a consideration."

Perkins has collected pay checks during the Legislative session by using sick, holiday and vacation leave and by putting in about 20 hours a week.

While he said he recognizes that many people have concerns about public employees serving in the Legislature, he said he has kept "very detailed records" showing that he has not been double-dipping while in Carson City.

He is awaiting word from the office of special counsel on whether he is in violation of the federal Hatch Act, which prohibits people in elected office from holding another job where they can handle federal funds.

Government watchdog Knight Allen filed a complaint against Perkins last year, alleging Perkins was in violation of the act, and the office of special counsel said Perkins apparently was.

Henderson officials sent more information to the federal authorities about how they believed they had structured Perkins' duties to avoid the violation and are awaiting a response. Perkins said he expected a ruling on the issue late last year, but it is yet to come.

Even if that office issues an opinion that he is in violation, Perkins said he can appeal to the Merit Services Protection Board, a quasi-judicial group that would make the ultimate decision on whether he is in violation.

Perkins also is one of the Democrats eyeing a run for governor in 2006. He said retiring could be a tough decision -- he has been on the force for 21 years and said he loves police work.

If he does retire early, he said he would pay about $3,500 a month from his pension back into the retirement system for several years so he can become fully vested.