Complaints filed over tax petition

Tuesday, May 4, 2004 | 10:18 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- The president of the Independent American Party said Monday he has filed criminal complaints against more than 15 government workers in Clark County, accusing them of intimidating people who were gathering signatures on a tax referendum.

Chris Hansen said the government workers harassed the individuals who were seeking voters to sign the petition to repeal the $833 million tax plan. Those gathering signatures were threatened with arrest and ordered off the public property, Hansen said.

Hansen said he filed the criminal complaints with Metro Police and with Secretary of State Dean Heller. He said Heller could ask Attorney General Brian Sandoval to file charges.

The complaints allege that the government workers in Clark County are guilty of a gross misdemeanor. He said the harassment occurred at a Department of Motor Vehicles building in Las Vegas, the Clark County Courthouse, Sam Boyd Stadium, the Thomas & Mack Center, McCarran International Airport and at the county fair in Logandale.

Hansen said other criminal complaints will be filed in Henderson, Reno and Douglas County.