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Bob Gilbert, the former construction chief at the College of Southern Nevada, is led away by Deputy Marshall T.J. Knickmeyer after sentencing at the Regional Justice Center Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011. Gilbert was found guilty by a Clark County jury in August 2010 on 11 counts of theft.
By J. Patrick Coolican (contact) 
Friday, Nov. 18, 2011 | 2 a.m.
J. Patrick Coolican
CSN official William Gilbert is accused in the theft of college property in the building of this home on Mount Charleston.
Sun archives
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- Supreme Court grants bail pending appeal of ex-CSN construction chief (7-14-11)
- Ex-CSN official to serve one year for thefts (2-16-11)
- Sentencing delayed for ex-CSN construction chief found guilty of theft (1-4-11)
- Ex-CSN construction chief found guilty on theft charges (8-31-2010)
- Gilbert CSN theft case goes to jury (8-30-2010)
- Prosecutors wrapping up theft case against ex-CSN construction chief (8-25-2010)
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An explosive lawsuit filed in District Court this week alleges that College of Southern Nevada President Michael Richards retaliated against employees who cooperated in the attorney general’s investigation of Bob Gilbert, the former construction chief and associate vice president convicted of theft of CSN materials.
The suit was brought by Donald Richard Bloyer, who has been an auditor at the school since 2004.
The suit says Bloyer discovered the disappearance of property in his audits and reported it but was ignored by the college. Later, he cooperated with the attorney general’s investigation that eventually ensnared Gilbert, who was convicted last year of taking materials and equipment to build his pricey home near Mount Charleston.
When Bloyer “did not keep quiet, despite pressure from his employer CSN, and instead told the truth, CSN retaliated,” the filing alleges.
Mark Alden, a member of the Nevada Board of Regents and staunch defender of Gilbert, is also named as a defendant in the civil suit. A message left with Alden was not returned.
Gilbert, who maintains his innocence, is out on bail awaiting appeal.
A CSN spokeswoman emailed a statement responding to the lawsuit: “The opinions stated in the lawsuit are contrary to the commonly known circumstances and historical facts. It is clear that CSN cooperated fully with the Attorney General’s office and was similarly responsive to requests made by the defense team. Many of CSN’s officers and staff were interviewed by both the attorney general and the defense, and we expected that all CSN employees testified fully and accurately.”
Here’s the timeline as laid out in the lawsuit:
• 2005 and 2006: Bloyer found that equipment couldn’t be accounted for and reported the matter in October 2006. His report was ignored, according to the filing.
• 2007: Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto began an investigation. (Richards was named interim president in August 2007 following the departure of Richard Carpenter, and then made president by the Nevada Board of Regents in 2008.)
• 2008: Gilbert was indicted.
• May 2010: Bloyer was subpoenaed to testify.
• June 2010: Bloyer informed Richards that he would testify truthfully and deliver a “mini-audit” for the attorney general that would revisit the 2006 audit that revealed property wasn’t accounted for. He also noted to Richards that CSN was still not compliant with Nevada System of Higher Education policies on keeping track of equipment.
Later that month, Richards sent Bloyer a memo telling him not to provide assistance to the attorney general without prior approval.
CSN responded to this allegation in its statement to the Sun: “CSN documents that were requested by the attorney general were to be sent through legal counsel’s office to ensure that the college’s attorney was aware of the contents of the documents.”
• July 2010: Bloyer raised concerns with Richards about the memo but was ignored, according to the filing. Later, Bloyer alleges, the memo was leaked to Gilbert’s defense team.
Also that month, Bloyer raised his concerns about the Richards memo and his treatment to John Mueller, then the executive director of human resources at CSN. According to the court filing, Mueller said his cooperation with the attorney general’s investigation was “detrimental to Mueller’s own future with CSN.”
Yet another employee, unnamed in the filing, told Bloyer of feeling pressured not to cooperate and being “terminated for reasons related to cooperation with and/or assistance to the attorney general on the Gilbert trial.”
• May 2011: Bloyer received a notice that his contract with CSN would not be renewed.
• September 2011: Bloyer filed a complaint with the attorney general.
Bloyer and his attorneys declined to comment further on the lawsuit.
Mueller, the human resources executive, is no longer at the college. He declined to comment.
The CSN statement concludes: “We look forward to responding in greater detail through the court system to ensure a full and proper response.”
Great. Because at this point a lot of us are wondering, what on earth is going on at the College of Southern Nevada?
Comment removed by moderator. Unsubstantiated claims.
Mark Alden is a close ally of Gilbert.
Gilbert has been convicted of stealing from governments twice in two different states.
Why is Alden associating with such a person?
CSN has nothing on CCSD.
Perhaps, at last, murder will out
"Because at this point a lot of us are wondering, what on earth is going on at the College of Southern Nevada?"
Patrick, you can change the name "College of Southern Nevada" to the "US Congress," or any other entity or corporation (banks, insurance, pharmaceuticals, big oil, etc.) in America and ask the same question.
It's a national disease of epidemic proportions: GREED, FRAUD, ENTITLEMENT without conscience.
Sounds like Bloyers got a good case. They should have a deposition with John Mueller to see if he also felt pressure to not cooperate with the Attorney General. They should also get a deposition from CSN as to the EXACT reason for Bloyers termination. I'm pretty sure Michael Richards never thought this case would see the light of day. As for the brain surgeon Bob Gilbert-next time you steal materials-make sure you don't affix them to your own house.
Bob Gilbert is innocent. He had permission to steal the materials and use college laborers to build his house. This is all a big misunderstanding. There is nothing even remotely shady or wrong what-so-ever with anything innocent Bob did to build his modest dream house.
Are u friggin serious..he had "permission" from who?? Does he NOT know right from wrong... apparently NOT. He is guilty; hopefully goes to prison for a very LONG time ( it won't happen) but hopefully)Thieves like this is why we have to pay so much for higher education..I am now a graduate but how about the younger kids trying to get thru college? Its the thieves like Gilbert stealing from the school system is why tuition gets higher every semester. Enough is enough they need to make an example of this idiot and do the CCSD justice make him go to prison and do TIME!
In the state agency that I retired from, the "Whistleblower Law" was a tool to protect the employee when he / she reported corruption within the ranks of management. I had many experiences in this field. However, the realities of protection under this umbrella are akin to a "lame duck" session of Congress. Even though the employee reporting is usually spared their job, the harassment that the employee endures is usually quite significant. Bottom line is, if you, as the employee report something illegal and or unethical and expect a blanket of protection under the "Whistleblower Law", you are in for a rude awakening.
CSN has nothing on UNLV, as auditors who've worked for both would attest. The silencing of WB's doesn't end within the Institution: after they're forced out for their due diligence, their lives are most often destroyed. Fortunate for Bloyer he did not take his discoveries on to the Regents & Chancellor, or we might never have heard from him again. Bloyer's best advised to strap in for a bumpy ride, and best of luck to him in pursuit of the justice that's eluded many WB's before him. Alden's being named as a defendant is excellent news indeed.