September 26, 2002
ASSOCIATED PRESS
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - Two district judges and several Assembly members are among those who missed deadlines for campaign reports to Nevada election officials.
The secretary of state's office has sent letters to 31 candidates saying that, as of Sept. 18, they had built up fines totaling $1,275 apiece for not filing the contribution and expense reports.
The fines continue to increase each day the reports are late and, as of Wednesday, stood at $1,975 apiece.
Those on the list include Assemblyman Wendell Williams, D-North Las Vegas. Williams, a perennial recipient of such letters, still owes fines from the election two years ago and has not yet filed his final report from that contest.
Besides Williams, five other Assembly candidates failed to file the forms this election season.
Another 33 candidates got letters because they were late in filing the reports. They were told they owe the state anywhere from $25 for one day to $525 for 14 days.
That list includes eight Assembly candidates, including Ways and Means Chairman Morse Arberry, D-North Las Vegas, and Assemblywoman Vonne Chowning, D-North Las Vegas.
Also on the list are Clark County District Judge John McGroarty and Washoe District Judge Brent Adams. McGroarty filed Sept. 16 and owes a total fine of $1,075. Adams, who filed his report 10 days late, paid a fine of $325.
Secretary of State Dean Heller's office sent out 19 notices to members of the Independent American Party who said they can't be required to report because that would violate their Fifth Amendment rights.
Each instead submitted a form stamped: "I do hereby claim my rights against self-incrimination and must therefore decline to fill out this form and-or sign it under penalties of perjury."
All candidates for public office in Nevada, from governor to constable positions and board members of general improvement districts, are required to file three separate reports on contributions and expenditures.
Candidates are informed of the requirements when they file for office and sign an acknowledgment stating that they understand the filing requirements. They are told they could be fined up to $5,000 for each of the three reports.