Tuesday, July 22, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Moncrief issues denial of allegations

Letter to secretary of state responds to charges made by former supporters

Janet Moncrief Councilwoman responds

In a letter received by the Nevada secretary of state on Monday, Las Vegas Councilwoman Janet Moncrief issued a blanket denial of allegations that she used illegal campaign tactics during her successful bid for office.

The letter was a response to allegations by former supporters, Steve Miller and Peter "Chris" Christoff in affidavits filed in June, saying they helped prepare and mail illegal fliers targeting Moncrief's opponent, then incumbent Michael McDonald.

During the campaign, Miller and Christoff denied having any affiliation with Moncrief's campaign.

"These allegations are false, and I believe the reason for the correspondence from these individuals is directly tied to my refusal of Steve Miller's demand that I appoint him as my community liaison," Moncrief wrote.

Officials with the secretary of state's office said Monday they haven't decided whether to open an investigation into the allegations.

Moncrief was out of town Monday, staff said. She didn't return calls seeking further comment.

Miller, a former councilman and longtime enemy of McDonald, contends he worked as a consultant on Moncrief's campaign and helped produce a mailer that Moncrief sent out but falsely attributed to McDonald's campaign.

Miller and Moncrief had a falling out after Moncrief's victory, when it became apparent to Miller he wouldn't be an adviser to the councilwoman as previously promised, he said.

Moncrief, however, states her interaction with Miller during the campaign was no different "than the time and attention that I would have afforded any other citizen."

Christoff, who ran against Moncrief and lost in the primary, has alleged he agreed to serve as a front for Moncrief in sending out four negative mailers that reminded voters of McDonald's run-ins with city and state ethics panels. The mailers were paid for by Moncrief and her friend Bob Stupak, he said.

In her letter to the secretary of state, Moncrief said she had nothing to do with the fliers. She claims Christoff's recent statements about the mailers are "in direct contradiction to all of his prior statements.

But Christoff said Monday that he's provided officials with documentation to prove he's now telling the truth.

"I have the receipts and they're with the secretary of state's office," he said. "She can lie from now until doomsday, I don't care."

Moncrief also denied the allegation that Miller, Christoff, Moncrief and other supporters assembled at Jerry Wolkon's print shop to place stamps on Christoff's final mailer.

"I was at Mr. Wolkon's shop on that evening, but only because I was preparing my campaign's final mailer," Moncrief wrote. "I simply happened to be at the shop at the same time as Miller, Christoff and company were preparing their final mailer."