Augustine drops her ethics appeal

Friday, April 1, 2005 | 9:06 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- State Controller Kathy Augustine says she wants to "let sleeping dogs lie" and has withdrawn her appeal to the state Ethics Commission to overturn its ruling.

"It's time to move on," Augustine said. "I want to put this whole horrendous experience behind me."

The Ethics Commission fined Augustine $15,000 and found her guilty of three violations of misusing her state office and its employees in her re-election campaign in 2002. She has been paying her fine off at $500 a month.

She filed an appeal and the Ethics Commission had set April 13 for a hearing. This item has now been withdrawn from the agenda.

The finding of the Ethics Commission was forwarded to the Legislature for an impeachment hearing. The Senate, after a trial in December, found her guilty of one count and censured her. It could have removed her from office.

Augustine, who cannot run again for controller because of the constitutional two-term limit, said she has not given up on politics. She said she is still considering running for lieutenant governor on the Republican ticket next year.

Thirty-eight of the 42 Assembly members have sponsored a constitutional amendment to abolish the office of controller and transfer its duties to the state treasurer. Assembly Joint Resolution 3 must be approved by this session and the 2007 Legislature and then ratified by the voters.