Ethics case to proceed

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

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- The state Ethics Commission has set Sept. 14 for a hearing for two teachers in the Carson City School District who are accused of using their class preparation time to set up a campaign walk for Assemblywoman Bonnie Parnell before the last election.

A two-member commission panel of Rick Hsu and Jim Kosinski found there was "just and sufficient cause" to hold a full hearing before the rest of the commission members for Jeff Greb, president of the local teachers union and Lynne Trujillo, a union member.

The complaint against the two was filed by former Assemblyman Ron Knecht, a Republican who was defeated by Parnell.

The panel found that there was enough evidence that Greb used class preparation time to organize a campaign walk for Parnell. And it said there was sufficient evidence that Trujillo used the school's photocopier and class preparation time to help in promoting the walk.

Greb and Trujillo could not be reached for comment but in answers to the complaint they denied they did anything wrong. They maintain that the contract between the school district and the Ormsby County Education Association permits the use of school mailboxes and interschool mail services for organizational purposes.

They said the school administration has allowed union members to use bulletin boards to post fliers and has allowed the use of photocopy machines and computer printers.

Parnell could not be reached for comment.