Chanderraj warned about political activity

Thursday, Sept. 30, 2004 | 9:31 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn has cautioned Nevada Gaming Commissioner Radha Chanderraj about taking part in any further political activities.

Chanderraj served as an alternate delegate to the Republican National Convention in New York City last month. The law says "No (commission) member shall be: a member of any political convention or a member of any committee of any political party."

The Sun was first to report that Chanderraj made the New York trip despite the state law.

Keith Munro, legal adviser to Guinn, said Wednesday he talked several times with Chanderraj and she is "very remorseful." He said it was a misunderstanding.

Munro said the state law talks about a member of a political convention. He said Chanderraj was not a member but was an alternate and was not on the floor of the national convention.

A spokesman for the state attorney general's office would neither confirm nor deny that an investigation was under way into Chanderraj's conduct.

The law does not provide for a penalty. But the governor has the power to remove a commissioner for malfeasance or neglect of duty. Guinn was only admonishing Chanderraj and not taking any additional disciplinary action, Munro said.