Workers accuse prisons chief of making threats

CARSON CITY -- Corrections Director Howard Skolnik is under investigation in connection with allegations that he threatened to kill prison workers with a shotgun during a February meeting at High Desert State Prison in Southern Nevada.

Skolnik's office confirmed Thursday that complaints have been filed against the director with the attorney general's office.

A spokeswoman for the state attorney general's office said Las Vegas police also are investigating a separate complaint against the director.

Suzanne Pardee, a spokeswoman for the Department of Corrections, said the director told her he does not own a shotgun or a rifle.

"He can't comment due to the investigation, but he said he is not concerned about the outcome," Pardee added.

Daniel Burns, Gov. Jim Gibbons' spokesman, said Skolnik would have been fired if the governor thought the allegations were real.

"Howard is a guy who takes a lot," Burns added. "The governor has complete confidence in Howard Skolnik."

Representatives of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees in Carson City said they knew nothing about the complaints. In the past, the employees organization has been critical of Skolnik.

An aide at the High Desert State Prison alleged Skolnik threatened to kill workers whose names kept coming to his attention for problems.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.