Young says he told Gibbons about probe

Saturday, Oct. 21, 2006 | 8:04 a.m.

Clark County Sheriff Bill Young said he personally informed gubernatorial candidate Jim Gibbons last Saturday that he was the subject of an investigation into allegations he assaulted a woman and suggested that he consent to an interview with his detectives.

Young told the Sun about his cell phone conversation with the Republican congressman in response to a series of unanswered questions about the incident printed Friday in the Sun - one of which asked whether the Gibbons campaign had any conversations with the sheriff after the incident. Young has endorsed Gibbons.

Young, who was attending a police chiefs conference in Boston last Saturday, said he reached Gibbons on his cell phone in the early afternoon at the request of his detectives, who were trying to locate Gibbons.

Earlier in the day, about 1:30 a.m., Chrissy Mazzeo, a 32-year-old single mother, told detectives that Gibbons had indicated he was staying at the Residence Inn by Marriott.

Mazzeo told police that Gibbons assaulted her late Friday night and made unwanted sexual advances in a parking structure across the street from the nearby McCormick & Schmick's restaurant, where the two had been drinking with a group that included the congressman's top campaign consultant, Sig Rogich. Mazzeo later decided not to press charges.

Young, who said he didn't learn about the investigation until noon Saturday, said he had Gibbons' cell phone number and called him to arrange the interview with detectives.

"His attitude was that he was shocked," Young said. "I told him what had happened, and he said, 'I was there. That's not true.' I said, 'Jim, don't tell me anymore. You may need an attorney.' "

Young added, "I told him the best thing going for him was to tell the truth and don't hide anything from the police."

Gibbons was interviewed by detectives at the Residence Inn at 2:55 p.m. last Saturday, more than 13 hours after Mazzeo was questioned about her accusations. Detectives then questioned Mazzeo again at 4:11 p.m. In that second interview, she said she did not want to go forward with the case - even though she did not recant her statement of the night before.

Young said he saw no problem with his efforts to arrange the Gibbons interview.

"I think it was the right thing to do," he said. "I'd do it again."

Young said he also had a telephone conversation with Rogich, who also is one of Young's political advisers, Monday afternoon. Rogich, the sheriff said, called to determine whether the department was doing anything further with the Gibbons case.

"He wanted to know where Metro went from here," Young said, "and I told him nowhere ... from here on out, it's going to be the congressman's word against her word."

Young said the incident hasn't diminished his support for Gibbons.

"I believe in Jim Gibbons," he said. "I am still voting for Jim Gibbons, and I urge every Southern Nevadan to consider the political ramifications of this case - and the timing."

Gary Peck, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, said the sheriff's role in the probe raises questions about whether the Gibbons case was given special treatment.

"I don't question the sheriff's motives for getting involved in the investigation," Peck said. "But his decision to do so will unfortunately feed the cynicism of those who are prone to believing that the police don't treat everyone the same."

Peck said he also doesn't understand why the "cops on the street" waited more than 13 hours after they had questioned Mazzeo to interview Gibbons.

Young said that time lag isn't unusual and, as he did earlier in the week, he defended the department's investigation, saying it ended up being more exhaustive because it focused on Gibbons.

"I defy you or Gary Peck to find any manipulation by Metro Police," Young said. "This thing wouldn't have amounted to anything if it was anybody but the congressman."

Peck said he was concerned that when the story broke last Saturday night, Young emerged as the department's spokesman.

"Although I believe the sheriff is an honest and honorable man, I think the department would have been well-advised to have someone else serve as its spokesperson regarding Ms. Mazzeo's allegations," Peck said.

"Because the sheriff publicly endorsed the congressman, his statements will fairly or unfairly raise questions about possible conflicts of interest and about whether Metro Police handled the inquiry in their typical fashion."

Gibbons is refusing to answer questions about the incident. At a press conference Thursday, he made his only public comment about the case, issuing a strong denial.

His attorney then released sworn statements from three women who were drinking with Gibbons, Rogich and Mazzeo before the incident. They said Gibbons had not behaved inappropriately with Mazzeo in the restaurant.

The Sun learned Friday that two of the women - Michelle Diegel and Georganne Bradley - work in the law firm Bullivant Houser Bailey, which shares an office suite with Rogich.

Sam Skolnik contributed to this report.