reviewjournal.com -- Sports: Guinn says McCain's actions self-serving

Gov. Kenny Guinn on Thursday accused Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., of criticizing members of the Nevada Athletic Commission in an effort to bolster his chances of a proposed federal boxing board.

"Upon due consideration and reflection, your comments unfortunately appear to be a veiled attempt to advance your committee's agenda to create a national boxing commission by discrediting the Nevada Athletic Commission," Guinn wrote.

McCain, chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, wrote to Guinn on Feb. 21 expressing concern about conflict-of-interest allegations involving commission chairman Luther Mack and vice chairman Dr. Tony Alamo.

"Apparently your staff was unable to find any specific instances of impropriety on the part of these well-respected individuals," Guinn wrote. "I draw this conclusion because your letter makes very broad accusations of ethical standards not being maintained due to chairman Mack receiving a discounted room rate and there being an `appearance' of a conflict due to Dr. Alamo's father being a gaming executive at a hotel that is a frequent boxing venue."

Tony Alamo Sr. is senior vice president of Mandalay Resort Group, the parent company of Mandalay Bay.

Guinn emphasized that he takes appointments to the commission seriously.

"I personally know all five commissioners to be men of high integrity, character and honor," he said in the letter. "Chairman Mack has served on the commission with the highest distinction for over a decade. I firmly believe that he did not receive any room discounts as the result of such service. Rather, it appears as though he received a relatively insignificant room discount due to his patronage, which is standard in the lodging/gaming industry in Nevada."

Guinn said Alamo's position as vice chairman was strictly parliamentary in nature and the position has no more power than any other position on the commission.