Vol. 6, No. 2
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November 15, 2008
Nevada's Online State News Journal-- Serving Informed Nevadans Since 2003
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COPYWRITING
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Another Press Secretary
Given Hiking Orders
Follows On Heels Of End
Of Corruption Investigation
It was reported on November 2 that the FBI had concluded there was no criminal activity involved in dealings between Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons and defense contractor Warren Trepp and his eTreppid corporation. A disgruntled former employee, Dennis Montgomery, had sued Trepp over alleged theft of material he believed he owned. Montgomery complained that Gibbons helped Trepp get federal contracts and in payment received cash, gifts, casino chips, and trips on a Trepp yacht. The FBI says there is no truth to the allegations.
Gibbons responded this way to the report, “About two years ago, false accusations about me surfaced in the midst of some contentious litigation involving the eTreppid Company. Now, federal investigators, including the FBI, have confirmed what I have said all along. These accusations are baseless and there is not a shred of evidence showing I did anything improper.”
Just a week later, Gibbons summarily dismissed his press secretary, Ben Kieckhefer, from the job he’s held just since March when former press secretary Brent Boynton left the governor’s service. There has been no reason given, and Kieckhefer said he was not at liberty to discuss the situation. Gibbons has appointed Dan Burns of Las Vegas to replace Kieckhefer. Burns now becomes the fourth person to serve in that capacity in the last two years.
Burns worked as Public Information Officer (PIO) in the public safety department, and Kieckhefer has reportedly been offered his old job. Kieckhefer has not made a decision on that as yet. Before going to work for the state, Burns was a television news reporter in Las Vegas. There are indications that Gibbons feels his current political standing in the state, the lowest of any governor in years, is the responsibility of his press secretary.
The FBI probe is just the first hurdle for the first term governor to clear from recent problems, including a very messy divorce from First Lady Dawn Gibbons. The problems with the divorce have spilled over into what might be considered state business when Gibbons refused to let the First Lady help hand out trick or treat goodies on Halloween, a tradition that extends back many years.
Gibbons is also facing a federal lawsuit filed by a cocktail waitress that alleges Gibbons attempted to molest her in a Las Vegas parking garage toward the end of his campaign for governor two years ago. Chrissie Mazzeo, now living in Orange County, California, home to many Las Vegas elites, claims her constitutional rights have been denied, equal protection doesn’t exist in her case, and that many others in southern Nevada are to blame, including the sheriff and district attorney.
There were conspiracy theories floating around the state following the allegations of assault, many involving political dirty tricks, set ups to destroy Gibbons, and others. The investigation by the sheriff and DA brought no charges from any direction, and so called security cameras at the parking garage did not show either the governor nor Mazzeo. Some cameras also were not working. Mazzeo, among other charges, is claiming a police cover up.
In the meantime, the governor is being sued by a state worker who claims she was removed from her job in the state budget office because Gibbons thought she was the one that leaked information of Gibbons’ use of a state cell phone, allegedly calling a woman since described as a “close” friend. More than 800 messages were allegedly sent to the married woman. Mary Keating was removed from the budget office despite the fact that she insists the only person she told about the alleged phone calls was her boss, Budget Director Andrew Clinger.
Keating is being represented in the case by attorney Cal Dunlap who also represents Dawn Gibbons in the divorce proceedings. Keating was transferred to another division of state government and Gibbons said she did not lose any retirement time or benefits. Dunlap says the situation smacks of retribution and that “matters of public concern” should be brought to the attention of the public.
Gibbons insists that none of the problems dealing with his public and private life are having any affect on his ability to govern. The 2009 legislative session is scheduled to begin in February, and at the end of January, Gibbons is expected to give his state of the state message.
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