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Published Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012 | 2:26 p.m.
Updated Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012 | 3:10 p.m.
Vermillion Speaks
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Former Henderson City Councilperson Kathleen Vermillion's personal and financial dealings are drawing scrutiny in southern Nevada. Meanwhile, Vermillion alleges in a civil lawsuit filed in Clark County District Court that she was defamed by her former boyfriend, Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak.
Sun coverage
Kathleen Vermillion
Sources say Kathleen Vermillion’s 15-year-old daughter saved her life after finding her in medical distress about midnight Friday and calling 911 for help.
Vermillion, an ex-Henderson City Council member who is being investigated by the FBI and who lost her job as the head of a charity she founded 10 years ago, appeared to have attempted suicide with an overdose of pills, sources said.
She was transferred to a local hospital and is under observation.
“Her daughter saved her life,” a source close to the family said.
In late January, Vermillion filed a lawsuit against Clark County and her ex-boyfriend, Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak, alleging defamation and invasion of privacy.
Vermillion charged information had been released about a drug test that showed methadone in her system.
A few days later, Sisolak filed a police report alleging criminal extortion against Vermillion, her attorney Rob Martin and public relations adviser Mark Fierro, saying Martin and Fierro asked for $3.9 million to drop Vermillion’s lawsuit. Las Vegas police are investigating the allegation.
The Sun also learned last week that the FBI is investigating allegations that Vermillion may have used her elected office to solicit donations for her charity, the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth.
The charity is one of the most high-profile organizations in Las Vegas, having received mention in Congress by former U.S. Rep. Jon Porter and drawing board members from Nevada’s political and cultural elite.
Late last year, however, Vermillion sparred with her executive director, Arash Ghafoori, who questioned the Partnership’s expense reports.
In early January, Vermillion put Ghafoori on paid administrative leave. Then several of the charity’s board members resigned, including Assemblyman Marcus Conklin, one of the charity’s founding board members.
In January, Ghafoori filed a 120-page document with the Nevada attorney general alleging misappropriation of funds by the tax-exempt charity.
More than a week ago, the few remaining board members officially let Vermillion go and rehired Ghafoori.
Sisolak, who broke up with Vermillion in November after seeing her for five years, offered a brief statement Tuesday afternoon.
“My thoughts and prayers are with Kathleen and family at this very difficult time especially her children, who showed a tremendous amount of love and maturity,” he said.
After Vermillion’s allegations, her ex-husband issued a statement saying Sisolak had been nothing but a gentleman to him and Vermillion’s family. He also said that Vermillion’s teenaged daughter denied allegations that Sisolak engaged in an “improper” relationship with her.
I hope this is just a horrible rumor.
How sad. The other shoe has fallen.
What an unbelievable chain of tragic events.
The sad part - her attorney and this other "consultant" have no interest in helping this woman. They are in it for their share of the loot.
Sad that they are exploiting this woman given her obvious mental/emotional problems.
What is truly sad - these attempts will be viewed as "they were just doing what they thought was in the best interest of their client."
Truly vile and evil. These guys know what they are up to - and it has little or nothing to do with this woman's best interest.
You know - you can see it as Karma. If reports are true that she defrauded/mishandled funds from the non-profit organization - she is now repeating the results of her misconduct and evil nature.
Once again, the worst part of this story is that kids, whether hers or the homeless youth of Southern Nevada, are going to suffer due to the actions of KV.
I feel really bad for all of them as the actions of the "adult" have caused serious consequences in the lives of those who have little control over their own lives. Let's hope that all of the kids overcome and go one to lead great, impactful lives despite the events of the last few weeks.
She must have been really overwhelmed with her problems. Hopefully she can get her life back in order.
Comment removed by moderator. Personal Attack
Comment removed by moderator. Inappropriate
I feel for her daughter, not for her. She is an adult and should be responsible for her actions. Suicide attempts are a way to attract pity. Typical of people with addictions (I am speaking out of experience, not mine, but of my husband's daughter).
Ms.Vermillion wanted to be news, now she's news. And it won't go away.
"But perhaps the desire of the thing called fame will torment thee." -- Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, Roman Emperor, 2nd Century A.C.E.
I heard the 911 call she made. This woman has serious mental issues.
It is easy for some that have never lost a friend or loved one to suicide to make callous comments or assume that the individual in crisis is guilty of some crime. I lost a classmate in graduate school to suicide as he struggled with the financial burden of starting a business. I lost my wife to suicide just over three years ago. My wife wasn't crazy, or guilty of any crime, nor was my classmate. They both shared the quality of being very sensitive people. Sometimes bad things happen to sensitive people and they can't take the abuse that is thrown at them. I hope Kathleen survives this ordeal and grows stronger from it. The victims of bullying are often not taken seriously and take it out on themselves. For those making the harsh comments, perhaps you should think about what a bully is and look closer at those that she is describing in her video interview. I will be praying for her family and want them to all know that they are loved and that the world will not be a better place without them.
To Johnhuntsucks: I intentionally wrote "suicide attempt", since these people really do not want to commit suicide, they just want to be pitied. So please John, do not take it personally, my comment was not for people which really committed suicide, it was for those who inscenate it, like my husband's daughter did for years, just to be pitied and distract the attention from her thefts and addictions.
Judge not - lest ye be judged.
I think it is unwise to jump to conclusions regarding a suicide attempt simply because one was close to someone else who attempted suicide. The motivation, the circumstances, the victim's mental state are all factors that come into play in these matters, and most of us are not privy to them in this case. It would be better if we kept in mind that there are innocent people who have been touched by this episode and we should be sensitive to their feelings at this time.
Rob Martin and Mark Fierro should be right in there with her. These two fronts are just as guilty trying to guide this woman into illegal areas. They are as directly responsible as though they were holding a gun to her head. I will also say that in the conversation concerning the amount they were trying to get out of Sisolak, saying the 1.7 million was to a "non-person", they would have been drug through the media if they were Conservatives. I would support bringing charges against ALL of THEM. This crap is what makes this world a bad place.
Clearly Sisolak who is behind her demise after all those years together, doing things together must now come clean.
Who cares. Homeless senior people try to kill themselves all the time and no one cares.
I do not think it was a suicide attempt, but just another ploy to gain attention and publicity. Many people today do not take there prescription medication properly and its not call a suicide attempt. Suicide when done correctly are usually fatal, anything after that is just trying to get attention or help.
Pity party.....everybody fell sorry for me!.....
She wasn't taking any pills when looking for the $3.9 million settlement. No mercy there. I was fooled once by behavior looking for pity and learned, that when these people get on top again, their friends are posted on the victim's list.