Friday, Feb. 27, 2009 | 2 a.m.
A group of neighborhood activists has lodged an ethics complaint against Las Vegas City Councilman Steve Ross, alleging that he has violated state ethics laws by using his post to further the interests of the Southern Nevada Building and Construction Trades Council, which he heads.
The complaint by Las Vegas residents Tyson Wrensch, Steve Hecht and Renee Lella cites three development projects benefiting union labor on which Ross has voted, including the now-stalled Kyle Canyon Gateway casino, a highway interchange and a new city hall.
The complaint cites a story in Sunday’s Sun examining Ross’ votes to approve at least $80 million in union contracts benefiting his members since becoming secretary-treasurer of the building trades council in 2007.
Ross, through a spokesman, dismissed the complaint as a “brazen political stunt” orchestrated to benefit the campaign of his primary challenger, Jennifer Taylor, and her adviser, Lisa Mayo-DeRiso. The two founded a group called North West Residents for Responsible Growth, which has opposed several development projects in Ross’ Ward 6.
Ross campaign spokesman Steve Redlinger, who also serves as a consultant for the building trades council, complained that he can’t respond “in a meaningful manner” to the ethics complaint because it is handled confidentially.
The Nevada Commission on Ethics cannot by law confirm or deny — even to the accused — the existence of an ethics complaint until it rules on the case’s merits. Officials have 60 days from the filing date to investigate and make a decision. The municipal election is April 7 and early voting starts March 21.
Two years ago the ethics commission warily cleared Ross to hold the labor post — warning him that conflicts could arise, especially on competitive bidding projects. Then-chairman Jim Kosinski said Ross would be “walking a field of land mines,” and commissioner Tim Cashman said, “I’ll guarantee you, you’ll be back here in front of us, whether you like it or not.”
Sun reporter Sam Skolnik contributed to this story.
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