State dropping one suit against Hansen

Friday, March 26, 2004 | 10:51 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- The state is dropping one of its lawsuits against Joshua Hansen, a candidate for Clark County Commission for the Independent American Party.

Secretary of State Dean Heller had filed suit through the state attorney general's office to force him to pay a $10,000 penalty for not filing the campaign expenses and contribution report in 2000.

The 2000 election cycle was the first time his office ever turned over the names of delinquent candidates to the attorney general's office to file suit, Heller said today.

"During the course of discovery in litigation, it became apparent that there had been correspondence back and forth between both offices and Mr. Hansen that was potentially subject to mistaken interpretation by both sides," Heller said.

"Based on those facts and in the interest of fairness, the secretary of state and its counsel determined it was appropriate to conclude the matter now without further court action," he said.

Hansen had a different take on the state's decision.

"I refused to compromise my principles and they were afraid to take their lack of principles before a Nevada jury," he said.

A suit filed by the attorney general's office against Hansen in connection with the 2002 election is still pending, however. Hansen ran for Assembly from Clark County in 2002.

Also still pending is Hansen's countersuit against Heller.