Jeff Simpson on why the Las Vegas community is honor-bound not to do business with Rhodes Homes as long as Erin Kenny is on the payroll

Sunday, July 15, 2007 | 2:29 a.m.

Th ere have been a number of excellent columns recently expressing the disgust journalists and the public rightfully feel for disgraced former Clark County Commission member Erin Kenny.

Although I certainly agree with those columns, as a business columnist I'd like to note a few of the effects of the recent spate of corruption and corruption trials on the Southern Nevada business community.

Apologists for businesspeople who pay off politicians might say that the payoffs are the price to play in a sleazy game manipulated by greedy politicians.

I think that is a lame excuse.

Business leaders should conduct themselves honorably. If politicians are hitting them up for payoffs, they should be turned in.

Business counts on a fair and impartial system to make and change zoning and other development decisions . When one business takes advantage of a corrupt system or individual by bribing a politician or government official, competitors can be harmed, as can the public .

That's why it is vital for business leaders to take a stand against corruption, criticizing not just corrupt politicians, but the business leaders who would pay them off.

It would be good for Southern Nevada business leaders to use their political contributions and bully pulpits to reward ethical politicians, and to withhold contributions from those who appear to be selling their votes or actions.

And honest businesses should stop doing business of any kind with those businesses that don't play by the rules.

One of the most shocking revelations to come out of the Donald Davidson trial is that Kenny remains on developer Jim Rhodes' payroll as a consultant, to the tune of a shocking $16,800 per month, $201,600 per year.

Now, the money is Rhodes' to do with what he wishes, but it certainly smells awful.

Rhodes hasn't exactly been eager to explain his generosity to the disgraced Kenny, but I can think of no good reason for him to keep her on his payroll - at least no ethical reason.

Rhodes should stop paying Kenny immediately, and should say exactly what Kenny has done to deserve her pay.

Associating with Kenny's stench makes him, and his business, smell bad.

If he keeps paying the soon-to-be inmate, or if he won't come clean about his reasons for paying Kenny after she agreed to plead guilty, honest businesses should refuse to do business with Jim Rhodes or his Rhodes Homes.

Guilt-by-association doesn't have the force of law - and it shouldn't - but stench by association should drive businesses to steer clear of Kenny, and of the man who continues to pay her. Because her deal with Rhodes smells rancid.

I wouldn't have a problem if Rhodes wanted to pay Kenny after she serves her time in prison and has paid her debt to society. I'd probably question his business judgment, because she'll presumably be politically radioactive for quite some time, but it is his money.

But for Rhodes to keep her on the payroll after her ignominious demise, after she admitted being corrupt, but has yet to serve her sentence, is a sign of a businessman who doesn't care about the public, or about political ethics.

And it's a sign that he thinks his business operates in a community that will tolerate such brazen willingness to accept corruption.

The Las Vegas business community should prove him wrong, and refuse to do business with the man who keeps the poster child for corruption on his payroll.