Ethics panel dismisses complaint

CARSON CITY-- A two-member panel of the Nevada Ethics Commission has thrown out a complaint against Secretary of State Ross Miller.

Commissioners George Keele and John T. Moran ruled that credible evidence does not exist to proceed on a complaint that Miller violated state ethics laws.

In a complaint filed by Sherry Dilley, Miller was accused of violating laws by placing his office telephone number on his re-election filing form and by appearing in Census 2010 public service announcements that allegedly furthered his re-election efforts.

Dilley also charged Miller used his office, equipment, supplies and his staff to advance his campaign.

She is the vice chairwoman of the Nevada Republican Party. He is a Democrat.

In a report, Ethics Commission investigator Mike Vavra said Miller told him that he put his office number on his filing statement because it was the easiest way to reach him.

He added he instructed his staff against working on campaign matters and that any calls to his office about his campaign should be reported to his campaign manager.

He also said the public service announcements in which he participated were part of his duty to get more people to participate in the census.

Miller was represented by two well-known lawyers, Peter Bernhard and Bill Bradley.

Vavra added in his report that he never was able to interview Dilley about her complaint, despite "continuous efforts," including asking the state Republican Party for assistance.

Keele and Moran heard the case last week. A written decision was issued Monday by Caren Jenkins, the Ethics Commission executive director.