Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008 | 2 a.m.
Two years ago, Chrissy Mazzeo accused Jim Gibbons, then the Republican candidate for governor, of sexually assaulting her in a parking garage after a night of drinking in Las Vegas. Gibbons denied it. The Clark County district attorney decided there wasn’t enough evidence to prosecute. Now Mazzeo is back, suing the governor, and a scandal many tried to bury has risen again.
“Never did.”
— Richard Wright, Mazzeo’s attorney circa 2006, saying whether his client ever considered suing Gibbons. Dec. 27, 2006. (Review-Journal)
Analysis: Her lawsuit also names as defendants Gibbons political adviser Sig Rogich, former Clark County Sheriff Bill Young and Mazzeo’s former friend Pennie Puhek. Mazzeo has a new attorney.
“This is a man who gets kidded about being so straight. He very rarely drinks, and even then it’s a glass of wine with dinner. He’s been married to the same woman for 20 years, and he tells people they have a great marriage.”
— Rogich, who paid the alcohol tab at the end of the evening, just before the alleged assault. Oct. 19, 2006 (Review-Journal)
Analysis: The governor is in the midst of a messy divorce, complete with allegations by his wife of adultery. Also, pictures have surfaced in the past two years of Gibbons on a cruise boat with a napkin on his head, a medallion dangling from his neck and a large brandy snifter in his hand.
“I need my life back. I have a baby.”
— Chrissy Mazzeo, saying she wanted to put the encounter with Gibbons behind her. Feb. 2, 2007. (Review-Journal)
Analysis: Mazzeo left the state for a year and a half, but has now returned to sue Gibbons.
“I would do it all over again. I’d do the same thing.”
— Mazzeo, saying she is glad she accused Gibbons of sexual assault. Feb. 10, 2007. (Sun)
Analysis: And so she has.
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