Ex-Henderson Mayor Gibson settles lawsuit with retired bank executive
Former Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson and retired bank executive Selma Bartlett have settled their legal dispute out of court.
Last year, Bartlett filed a District Court lawsuit that claimed Gibson and his wife owed her about $763,000.
According to the complaint, James and Lora Lee Gibson “defaulted on their loan obligations” while living in a luxury, gated community.
The case was dismissed June 28, 2012, less than three months after it was filed.
Reached at home on Wednesday, Bartlett said the parties had settled the matter. She said Jim Gibson paid her back, but she would not reveal the amount he paid.
“He’s a very fine person,” said Bartlett, the namesake of a Henderson elementary school.
Jim Gibson could not be reached for comment.
Last year, the former mayor admitted he owed Bartlett money and said he had “not yet been able to pay fully” what he owed her. He also denied he was living “a lifestyle of luxury.”
The lawsuit described Bartlett as a widow in her 80s. According to the document, she came to Las Vegas in 1954 with her husband, who at the time was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base. She embarked on a career in the banking industry that year.
“In her capacity as a bank executive and committed member of the community, Ms. Bartlett played an instrumental role in the growth and development of Henderson,” according to the lawsuit.
Jim Gibson served as mayor of Henderson from 1997 until 2009.
In March 2004, according to the lawsuit, Jim Gibson asked Bartlett, a longtime friend, to loan him and his wife nearly $329,000 to purchase a lot at Lake Las Vegas.
The couple later asked Bartlett to loan them more money, the lawsuit alleged. The lawsuit included a breach of contract claim against both Jim Gibson and his wife. Claims against Jim Gibson included fraudulent/intentional misrepresentation and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Jim Gibson denied he defrauded Bartlett.
Contact reporter Carri Geer Thevenot at cgeer@reviewjournal.com or 702-384-8710.
