Nevada returns millions of dollars in unclaimed assets

By Cy Ryan

Monday, Feb. 18, 2013 | 12:56 p.m.

CARSON CITY — Nevada Assembly Speaker Marilyn Kirkpatrick learned Monday she is $5 richer.

She is one of four legislators who were informed Monday they had money in the state’s unclaimed property account.

State Treasurer Kate Marshall said her office has returned $25 million from the account to the rightful owners this year.

“I love to give money away," Marshall told a Senate-Assembly budget subcommittee.

Unclaimed property is any financial asset, such as uncashed checks, bank deposits, securities, mutual funds, insurance benefits or gift certificates, owed to an individual or business that has been abandoned for a specified period of time, usually one to three years.

For instance, Assembly members Paul Aizley, D-Las Vegas, has $200 sitting in the account; Cresent Hardy, R-Mesquite, is entitled to $100; and Ellen Spiegel, D-Henderson, has $160 in the account.

Marshall said her staff has expanded its efforts in Clark County to locate the rightful owners of unclaimed assets.

Those who think they are entitled to an amount in the unclaimed property account can contact Marshall’s office.