Editorial: What’s taking so long?

Friday, March 19, 2004 | 9:10 a.m.

The secretary of state's office is investigating whether Assemblyman Chad Christensen, R-Las Vegas, illegally used money from his re-election campaign for a new business that he started last year. Questions were raised because Christensen wrote himself checks totaling $13,700 from his campaign account starting Aug. 14 -- the date that Christensen filed his incorporation papers for his new consulting business -- through Sept. 18. On Wednesday, the deadline for his formal response to the secretary of state's office answering the questions, Christensen wrote that the checks cashed were only to repay himself for the money he had personally spent on his campaign.

Curiously, though, Christensen didn't provide any records -- such as receipts -- to back up his claims. Christensen told Sun reporter Kirsten Searer that he will provide the secretary of state's office with supporting documentation -- if he's asked for it. If it's not sought, he said, the records and a corrected campaign finance report would eventually be sent to state officials. Why the stalling? For several weeks now Christensen has told reporters he would offer documentation, but he has failed to do so. We trust that Secretary of State Dean Heller won't waste any time demanding records from Christensen. It's time for Christensen to come clean.