Second ethics complaint filed against Henderson councilman
Lake Las Vegas. (istock/Getty Images)
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Henderson Councilman Jim Seebock violated Nevada ethics laws when he substituted a campaign pitch for an agendized presentation from the city manager at a Lake Las Vegas homeowners association meeting in April, according to an ethics complaint filed last month.
The complaint, submitted by Lake Las Vegas resident Jim McDonald, alleges the HOA president, Cody Winterton, “stated that the Henderson City Manager was not able to make it, but that another ‘City Official’ would be making the scheduled presentation in his place. That ‘City Official’ was introduced as ‘Jim Seebock, your City Councilman.’”
Seebock, according to the complaint, “then gave an approximately 20 minute campaign speech that included who he was, his family, his history, his high positions at the LVMPD (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department), and his stellar successes on the City Council. He did not at any time discuss the presentation to be given by the City Manager.”
City Manager Richard Derrick “was not scheduled to appear or make a presentation at that meeting,” said Henderson spokesperson Madeleine Skains.
The complaint alleges Seebock “intentionally utilized his position as a Public Officer, and the power and prestige of the office he holds in furtherance of his pecuniary and personal interests to be re-elected to the Ward 1 Council seat,” a violation of state ethics laws.
“It’s on the agenda every month,” says Winterton, one of four representatives of the developer on the seven-member HOA board, who has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to Seebock via a variety of corporations. “We typically invite a city representative, whether it’s a council member or the mayor or the city manager to come address the board.”
“I don’t remember him being at the board meetings,” says McDonald, who attends regularly.
Resident Greg Wieman commented during the meeting that Seebock was “purchased” by Winterton, who works for the Lake Las Vegas developer, Raintree Investments.
Winterton denies Seebock gave a campaign speech, but was unable to say what he discussed other than mentioning an effort to keep storm water debris from entering the lake.
“Honestly, I don’t remember paying that much attention,” he said during a phone interview. “Even if it was about his campaign, it doesn’t matter.”
Winterton declined to provide the Current with an audio recording of the meeting, which was later obtained by a homeowner. The audio reveals Seebock spoke about himself and his accomplishments, but also about issues such as traffic, homelessness and the clean up of toxic land at Three Kids Mine.
Liz Trosper, a consultant who manages communications for all three Henderson council members seeking re-election, says Seebock was unaware of the complaint, and laughed it off as a ploy by opponents in the late stages f the campaign. She says Seebock attends all the Lake Las Vegas HOA meetings.
Seebock is engaged in a heated primary race. He is one of three incumbents who are being targeted in a campaign to oust Henderson incumbents, who have been chastised for squandering millions on pet projects, and shifting the cost of a massive toxic land clean up from the developer who plans to build thousands of homes to taxpayers.
This is the second ethics complaint filed against Seebock. The first, filed last year, is for wearing his LVMPD uniform in campaign materials.
The Ethics Commission censured and fined Gov. Joe Lombardo, formerly Clark County Sheriff, for using the trappings of his law enforcement office in his campaign for governor.
Note: This story was updated to include a recording of Seebock’s presentation.
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