Fired union official faces theft charges

A 42-count criminal complaint has been filed against the former general manager of a Las Vegas city government employees' union accusing her of theft, attempted theft and manipulation of the union's computer systems.

The Las Vegas City Employees Association has also filed a civil lawsuit against Karen Hurtado, whose employment was terminated in 2009.

She was fired on allegations of taking more than $100,000 from union funds, according to the lawsuit, which accuses her of misusing a union debit card, overpaying herself, issuing checks for personal use and not depositing money intended for the association's account.

Hurtado's attorney filed a response denying the allegations and calling them frivolous. It states the union should not be awarded any damages and that Hurtado should be reimbursed for her attorney's fees and court costs.

The LVCEA issued a statement to its members this week updating the case, saying the Metropolitan Police Department advised the union not to discuss it until the investigation was complete.

Hurtado was dismissed May 11, and an investigation of the allegations went forward, according to the statement. Those results went to the police's property crimes bureau, which turned results over the district attorney's office.

The criminal complaint was filed in Las Vegas Justice Court Jan. 22. It lists one count of attempted theft, on allegations of trying to use a LVCEA account to buy a computer; 39 counts of theft, on allegations of diverting union funds; and two counts of unlawful acts regarding computers, on allegations of circumventing the union's business software.

The civil suit was filed Dec. 17. Its 65 pages list illicit expenditures by Hurtado .