Ethics Commission dismisses complaint against councilwoman

Thursday, July 2, 2009 | 6:10 p.m.

CARSON CITY – A panel of the state Ethics Commission has dismissed a complaint that Las Vegas City Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian had a conflict of interest when she voted to deny construction of an 8-foot wall at Rancho Circle.

The complaint was filed by Jon Jackson, the owner of the property, and he alleged that Tarkanian failed to disclose that her daughter, Jodie Diamant, lived in Rancho Circle and was a member of the homeowner’s association.

Tarkanian said she made disclosures at the proper times and always asked for advice from the city attorney’s office. She said Jackson was trying to punish her for voting against the variance to permit Jackson to build a wall higher than 5 feet.

Commission investigator Mike Vavra said “no evidence was discovered that Tarkanian’s daughter Jodie received any greater or lesser benefit than any other resident of the Rancho Circle neighborhood by Tarkanian’s participation or vote on the wall variance.”

Vavra said the property of the daughter is not adjacent to the site owned by Jackson.

“Jodie’s position on the Rancho Circle Homeowner’s Association Board of Directors does not appear to be significant in this case, since the board as a whole did not proceed with any actions against Jackson and his co-owner Joseph Miller,” Vavra said.

The panel, composed of commissioners George Keele and Paul Lamboley, dismissed all seven counts filed against Tarkanian.