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Clark County Commission District A candidate Steve Sisolak talks with supporters with his then-girlfriend Kathleen Vermillion during a political mixer at the Pizza Caffe in Henderson Tuesday, October 14, 2008.
By Jackie Valley (contact) 
Published Friday, Aug. 24, 2012 | 1:37 p.m.
Updated Friday, Aug. 24, 2012 | 4:21 p.m.
Steve Wolfson
Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson has decided not to file criminal extortion charges against former Henderson City Councilwoman Kathleen Vermillion.
The decision seemingly ends ongoing legal drama between Vermillion and her ex-boyfriend, County Commissioner Steve Sisolak, who filed a police report in January accusing Vermillion of trying to extort $3.9 million from him.
Vermillion had filed a lawsuit against Sisolak and Clark County employees claiming they defamed her by revealing the results of a drug test she had taken at the request of the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, which Vermillion founded. She also claimed Sisolak had an “improper” relationship with her 15-year-old daughter — a claim the teenage girl later said was false.
When Sisolak met with Vermillion, her attorney Rob Martin and public relations advisor Mark Fierro about the lawsuit against him, he wore a recording device. That’s when Sisolak alleged they asked him for money to make the lawsuit "go away."
Vermillion ultimately dropped her lawsuit against Sisolak in early February, but Sisolak urged authorities to continue the alleged extortion investigation.
Wolfson released a statement Friday announcing his decision not to file criminal charges in the case, citing the civil lawsuit as the primary factor influencing his decision.
The civil suit had been filed prior to the recorded meeting, meaning a legal defense known as litigation privilege could be raised in response to extortion charges, Wolfson said in the statement.
“The litigation privilege allows for a wide range of accusations and discussions between the parties involved in a lawsuit, including discussions about a possible financial settlement,” Wolfson explained.
Even so, Wolfson categorized the behavior of some involved as “troubling.”
Ultimately, Wolfson said “because their actions could fall under the litigation privilege, criminal charges could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Had the civil lawsuit not already been filed, the details of the case could have merited criminal charges of extortion, he said.
Sisolak said Wolfson called Friday morning to tell him of the decision before the public announcement.
“He shared his reasoning,” Sisolak said. “I shared my unhappiness.”
Sisolak said he would have liked to see the case proceed to the court system, where the issue of litigation privilege could have been vetted.
“(Wolfson) is one man that makes that call,” he said. “I would have preferred a judge or jury got that call.”
steve wolfson is a weak, ineffective and cowardly district attorney...
clearly he is in over his head...
and the citizens of clark county will pay for it...
just like that innocent civilian who had the henderson cops kick the snot out of him...
sad...
terribly terribly sad!!!
Hopefully everyone involved can move on now.
No surprise. Wolfson is afraid of Mark Fierro, and what Fierro's advertising agency could do to him in his re-election campaign.
Note to Sisolak: "When you lie dowm with dogs, you wake up with fleas."
""He shared his reasoning," Sisolak said. "I shared my unhappiness."
Amen, Mr. Sisolak
"Makes you feel ashamed to live in a land where justice is a game." -- Bob Dylan "Hurricane"
To my fellow bloggers,
I hoped nobody was surprised by this decision by the D.A. The community well deserves the reputation of being nothing more than "Prostitutes, Gamblers, and Drunks." Until we elect responsible people into our government and leadership, these type of shenanigans will continue unchecked and unquestioned. Just an old cop reflecting,
Gordon Martines.....................curre.org
So I understand this correctly, it's not a criminal offense to have lawyers try and negotiate a settlement before the case goes to court? If it is filed first. Also, Mr. Sisolak's charges did not warrant criminal prosecution, now Mr. Sisolak is upset. The readers are basing their opinions, as I, only on the information provided by the writer of the article. Although, I'm guessing there is a lot of information that the readers have not been provided, in my opinion.
ABSURD.... DA Steve Wolfson once again Judge and Jury... When is your term over? Not Soon Enough!!!
DESPICABLE... Kathleen Vermillion is seeking damages for defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress from the Homeless Youth Foundation which she established to ensure the future financial security of the Nevada Partnership for Homeless charity she founded... How "Beneficial and Conniving" Kathleen Vermillion negotiated the Liability Insurance for the foundation and charity, She would know the Policies, Procedures, and PAY OFF for exactly this possible problem.... Vermillion is an opportunist, and thus will never turns down any chance to get ahead... She was willing to throw her daughter under the bus for personal financial gain, she will do anything... Vermillion is devious and scheming she will continue to inflict pain on others if not held accountable...
"To my fellow bloggers"
GM -- this isn't a blog
"ABSURD.... DA Steve Wolfson once again Judge and Jury... When is your term over?"
Silvius -- he has to run in the next election cycle whenever that is, then the voters get to decide. I'm with you on this point. The interests he serves don't seem to be the public's. That's evident from approving so many police shootings and inaction on others. He's shown he's just an extension of the cops, another predator too eager to pounce on the powerless and innocent.
"The struggle for liberty has been a struggle against Government. The essential scheme of our Constitution and Bill of Rights was to take Government off the backs of people." -- Columbia Broadcasting Sys., Inc. v. Democratic Nat'l Comm., 412 U.S. 94, 162 (1973), Justice Douglas concurring
Sisolak wasn't innocent in this whole deal people. He was recording people in a settlement meeting and held a big woo is me press conference as a PR move.
Trustworthy Commissioner, I say not!!!
It was a nasty break-up by some people with juice.
A woman has destroyed her own life, and has to rebuild now. Can we please let it go?