Shortly after new state Attorney General George Chanos announced last month that his office would probe reported irregularities in the Bill Walters-Royal Links land deal, Mr. Chanos said he realized he might have a conflict because Las Vegas city officials have been asked to vacate a cul-de-sac to facilitate the unrelated development of 3.5 acres of his own family's land.

It was wise of Mr. Chanos to avoid even the appearance of impropriety by announcing a private firm would be retained to run the investigation.

That inquiry will probe the development, lease and eventual purchase of the Royal Links Golf Club, adjoining the city sewage treatment plant in the east valley, by developer Bill Walters. The investigation -- now to be undertaken by the California firm of Senn Meulemans, which maintains offices in Las Vegas and Reno -- will also investigate the City Council's November vote (since rescinded) to lift a deed restriction that had prevented Mr. Walters from building homes on the land.

Las Vegas environmental officer Lori Wohletz resigned over the City Council vote to lift the deed restriction, which would have paved the way for 1,200 homes to be built on the land next to the city's sewage treatment facility, incurring a taxpayer cost for additional odor abatement variously estimated from $5 million to $30 million.

Under the terms of the deal, Mr. Walters, who owns the course, would have paid the city $7.2 million for lifting the deed restriction, although the city's own appraisals say the move would increase the value of the land by $24 million to $28.7 million.

The $7.2 million figure was arrived at under a formula that Mayor Oscar Goodman says "was represented to me by Mr. Walters as an agreement, something that was discussed," although no evidence of any such 1999 agreement has ever surfaced.

"I asked for documentation; there was none," the mayor confirmed for the Review-Journal on Dec. 6.

One wonders if the mayor and City Manager Doug Selby would sell a deceased relative's new Cadillac to an acquaintance who claims, "The old man said I could have the car for 50 bucks, honest."

Monday, the Nevada Board of Examiners OK'd a $265,000 contract for the Senn Meulemans firm to investigate the Royal Links land deal. Mr. Chanos, a Board of Examiners member, didn't vote, again citing the possible perception that the 3.5 acres in Las Vegas might present a conflict.

That's money well spent. And the new attorney general again gets high points for recusing himself.