Whittemore’s trial on campaign violation charges rescheduled

At the request of both sides, a federal judge on Thursday put off the illegal campaign contributions trial of former power broker Harvey Whittemore until Feb. 26.

Whittemore, 59, was set to stand trial in Reno on Aug. 7.

He was indicted June 6 in a scheme to unlawfully funnel $138,000 in campaign contributions to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat.

Whittemore, who once wielded much influence in Nevada politics as a legislative lobbyist, also was charged with lying to the FBI and the Federal Election Commission. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

In court papers filed earlier in the week, federal prosecutors and defense lawyers told U.S. District Judge Larry Hicks that they wanted a continuance but couldn't agree on a date. Defense lawyers wanted until mid-June, and prosecutors sought a delay until the end of February.

Hicks sided with the prosecutors.

Earlier this month, Hicks said he planned to get off the case because of a possible conflict of interest unless both sides submitted a written waiver indicating they did not want him removed.

Among other things, Hicks disclosed that he has had a longtime casual relationship with Whittemore but still felt he could be fair if he stayed on the case. He gave both sides until July 20 to file waivers.

On Thursday, a court spokesman said that both sides submitted waivers and that Hicks would remain on the case.

Whittemore, who has pleaded not guilty, is free on his recognizance.

The indictment alleges he met with Reid in February 2007 in Las Vegas and agreed to raise $150,000 by the March 31, 2007, campaign finance deadline.

Whittemore then "knowingly devised a scheme" to funnel his own money to Reid's campaign, the indictment alleges.

At the time, federal law allowed a maximum $4,600 to be contributed to a campaign by an individual and $9,200 by a couple.

Whittemore is alleged to have reimbursed his associates through checks and wire transfers from his personal account.

The indictment alleges Whittemore duped Reid's campaign committee into believing the contributions came from the individuals, "when, in truth and in fact, as defendant well knew, the contributions came from the funds of the defendant."

The investigation became public Feb. 9, as FBI agents fanned out across the state at some 30 locations to serve subpoenas on Whittemore business associates, family members and employees.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal first reported that agents were interested in sizeable contributions that Whittemore and his associates made to Reid's re-election campaign in March 2007.

Contact Jeff German at jgerman@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-8135.