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Mar. 19, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

County unit to be watchdog

Commissioners see need for team to investigate construction complaints

By SCOTT WYLAND
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Responding to a report that accused some building inspectors of negligence, fraud and graft, Clark County commissioners approved forming a 20-person team to investigate construction flaws and complaints.

The investigative unit would cost $4 million annually. It won't be formed officially until the commission gives the final go-ahead in the coming weeks.

Commissioners said they saw the need to create an internal watchdog to ferret out faulty construction, look into complaints and keep an eye on the inspectors themselves.

An inspector's traditional role has been to examine new construction, rather than probing renovations and double-checking fellow inspectors.


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    • "There's obviously been some problems in the past," Commissioner Bruce Woodbury said. "We definitely should move forward with this program as soon as possible."

    Money from construction fees and fines will be used to pay the $4 million annual cost.

    Undocumented work, much of it shoddy, was found in hundreds of rooms at Harrah's Las Vegas and the Rio, spurring an audit and an effort to improve investigations.

    Unsealed holes found in the Rio's suites created a fire hazard because the gaps could allow flames to spread. These holes were an egregious code violation and potentially life-threatening, said Ron Lynn, the county's building chief.

    Although complaints make up a tiny fraction of the department's workload, they should be treated as a high priority, Lynn said. "They will be pursued in an aggressive and diligent manner."

    With the help of the new team, the county will go through one-fifth of the rooms in each high-rise hotel every year, finishing the entire inspection in five years, Lynn said. Workers also will perform yearly inspections on residential buildings.

    Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani said authorities should look at the company managers who gave the orders to ignore codes, not just the workers.

    "Don't tell me these businesses did not know," she said.

    Commissioner Lawrence Weekly said this episode further erodes public trust in safeguards.

    "I agree that this whole issue is a mess," he said.

    Any solution must include getting the various departments to share information so that complaints aren't lost in the shuffle, he said.

    Woodbury said amnesty should be given to anyone who discloses a building's defects, with no time limit imposed on someone coming forward.

    Giunchigliani disagreed, saying a business should be given a reasonable time to come clean before being slapped with full penalties. "Otherwise, what's the point?" she said.

    Commissioner Rory Reid argued that a middle ground might be to charge a lesser fine to someone who discloses building flaws sooner, then increase fines as time passes.

    Reid said the county is undergoing a crucial shift in how it ensures buildings are safe.

    "We're going to be an investigating agency," Reid said.

    Contact reporter Scott Wyland at swyland@reviewjournal.com or (702) 455-4519.

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    Fred Frazzetta wrote on March 19, 2008 05:58 PM: Gary Loveman:

    I suggest that you read the Kessler Report...it is a short read for a Havard Graduate. Who is not credible?...who is lying? - are you Mr. Loveman denying that the above mentioned individuals were not responsible for the illegal remodel projects, which left all the rooms that they touched unsafe in the event of a fire because of the shortcuts that they took to save your company money? You better think long and hard about the consequences of challenging me Mr. Loveman...you have no idea the number of employees that I know who will be willing to stand up in a court of law to testify to what I am saying. I am not playing with you Gary Loveman like you played with the lives of the Harrah's employees that were exposed to asbestos during these illegal remodels. I wouldn't be to quick betting against me either...you did already and you lost, and you are going to lose again Gary. Have you not learned that it would be better to be truthful than hide behind your lies...because eventually your lies are going to catch up with you - you know the truth. Gary, have you failed to notice that all of my allegations thus far have been found to be true...and then some by both the Clark County Building Department & Fire Department? My allegations are fact now Mr. Loveman...FACT! Here's another fact Gary, Roman Empire Development wasn't even in existence until after all of your illegal remodels took place...nice try but yet again another blatant lie. Perjury is the "willful and corrupt taking of a false oath in regard to a material matter in a judicial proceeding". If this makes it to court Mr. Loveman I suggest you tell the truth...because if you don't others will!


    tejeda wrote on March 19, 2008 03:52 PM: Let's start with making sure everyone working on each site is a citizen, or has documentation, that can be verified.

    Oh, there is another agency that does that...ha ha...


    endrun wrote on March 19, 2008 02:04 PM: Another Medical Board and Judicial Discipline Committee on the drawing board.
    DW, absolutely

    Whistle-blower, Donna Coleman, citizens must get involved to protect theirs and their family's interests and not the 'special interest'

    Get rid of all of them , every state incumbent needs to go

    DW wrote on March 19, 2008 11:00 AM:
    The DA represents the county. How can he represent the county and prosecute it at the same time? Conflict of interest.
    That the problem we have with the public defender matter, and throught the Nevada justice system..they ALL need to go.


    DW wrote on March 19, 2008 11:00 AM: Whistle-blowers should consider contacting the FBI public corruption unit. The DA represents the county. How can he represent the county and prosecute it at the same time? Conflict of interest.


    DLW wrote on March 19, 2008 10:32 AM: Need this job! Where do I apply?


    Donna Coleman wrote on March 19, 2008 08:52 AM: Now lets form a team to watch the Commissioners.


    Citizen wrote on March 19, 2008 08:43 AM: I think it is time for RORY Reid to step down. One scandal after another under his watch. Many of the players have ties to his law firm. Our citizen boards are filled with political appointments not an average citizen as was the original design. From the airport land deal, UMC, Desai etc Rory has fallen down on the job.


    Phil wrote on March 19, 2008 08:16 AM: 1st. Fire Ron Lynn. The same guy that the system broke under and he couldn't fix the first time now lets spend 4 million to fix the same problem and use the same manager.

    2nd. Lets fire Ron LYNN again. No wait, He works at the leisure of the county manager that appointed him. Appoint someone capable to replace him that just might have a better history of not lying about who he /she is and that the people might have a bit more faith in.


    Dave wrote on March 19, 2008 08:13 AM: With unemployment up I am sure we can find some decent people to take these jobs. Woodbury is another one that needs to be retired.


    Get rid of all of them wrote on March 19, 2008 08:10 AM: Every commissioner needs to go. Anyone affiliated with the Reid machine or Rogich need not apply.


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