Ethics Panel To Hear Gibbons Case

Two members of the state Ethics Commission will decide whether to hold a hearing on allegations Governor Jim Gibbons used his position to get a property tax discount. The complaint by the state Democratic Party accuses the governor of pressuring Elko County Assessor Joe Aguirre to designate 40 acres of land Gibbons owns as agricultural, qualifying it for a lower tax rate. Gibbons denied the allegations, calling the complaint a "partisan attack." Because Gibbons wants the entire matter made public, the two members of the Ethics Commission will decide whether to move forward with a hearing or dismiss the complaint. The proceeding is scheduled for September 11th.