Salerno fined in Nugget ethics dispute
16 October 2008RENO, Nevada -- As reported by News Review: "Sparks City Councilmember Phil Salerno has been fined $5,000 for violating state ethics law by failing to disclose his business relationship with the Sparks Nugget before voting on a project opposed by the casino.
"The Nugget opposed a competing hotel-casino called the Lazy 8 planned by lobbyist/developer Harvey Whittemore. In a Sept. 20, 2006, vote on a legal settlement that would have allowed the project to go forward, Salerno voted against the Lazy 8.
"... On March 6 this year, Whittemore filed a complaint against Salerno with the Nevada Commission on Ethics. The complaint alleged, 'Prior to voting against the settlement agreement, Salerno failed to disclose his relationship with the Nugget.'
"...A second part of the Whittemore complaint against Salerno was dismissed..."