Moran to resign from gaming board

Michelle Swafford

Tuesday, April 12, 2005 | 11:07 a.m.

Las Vegas lawyer John T. Moran Jr. today announced his resignation from the Nevada Gaming Commission so he could seek public office.

In a letter to Gov. Kenny Guinn on April 7, Moran, a lawyer and former sheriff's deputy, said that he was grateful to have been appointed to the Gaming Commission in June.

He said his final day as a commissioner will be April 22 -- one day after the next Gaming Commission meeting in Carson City and nearly a month before the May meeting.

Moran, a Democrat, is the newest commissioner on the five-member board. He replaced Augie Gurrola of Las Vegas. His appointment was scheduled to run through April 27, 2008.

Moran told the Sun today that he plans to seek a state office but declined to say which one until his resignation becomes effective.

He said by running for a state office he could be "more effective and better serve the state in a better capacity."

Moran, a lawyer for 30 years, previously served as chairman of the Colorado River Commission and chairman of the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners.

The last time a member of the Gaming Commission resigned was in 2001 when Brian Sandoval resigned as chairman to run for state attorney general.