Former county recorder Frances Deane sentenced to probation

Frances Deane was an emotional wreck.

The former Clark County recorder hobbled into District Court today for sentencing on felony corruption convictions using a cane, the result of two car crashes. Her hands shook. She could barely stand.

The once prominent office holder who joked and chatted with media types even when she was being ousted from her job had to leave the courtroom, her hand covering her mouth and her attorney in tow carrying a wastebasket because she might vomit.

But in the end, as she was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay $54,000 in restitution to Clark County, Deane never said she was sorry.

In a barely audible voice, Deane told District Judge Valorie Vega, “I’m so emotional (that) if I didn’t have skin I’d be a puddle on the floor.”

Deane asked the judge to refer to a letter she sent the court in consideration of her sentence. The letter was not immediately available to the public.

But Clark County District Attorney David Roger said Deane “offered not a scintilla of remorse in her letter to the court.”

Deane in August pleaded guilty to theft, misconduct of a public officer, and unlawful commissions, personal profit and compensation of public officers.

She was initially charged in June 2006 in connection with accepting more than $40,000 to illegally sell copies of information she was supposed to store for the public. Deane was sworn into office in January 2003 and removed by a district judge in September 2006 for malfeasance.

As part of the plea deal, prosecutors agreed to remain silent during the sentencing and to dismiss 15 other counts Deane originally faced.

Deane’s attorney, public defender J. Daniel Hastings, described his client as a “broken woman” who has suffered various personal misfortunes since she was charged. He said Deane was “a naive politician who thought that initially she could make a difference.”

Vega disagreed. “I think she was bold and didn’t believe she would be caught,” the judge said.

As part of her probation, Vega ordered Deane to not run for, apply for, or hold any public office.

Deane must also attend counseling, perform 16 hours of community service a month if she is not employed full time, make monthly payments toward her restitution, and disclose her felony convictions on job applications.

If Deane violates the conditions of her probation she could be sentenced to up to five years in prison.

Deane broke down in tears after the sentence was read.

Roger said she “received a break of a lifetime.”

Clark County’s head prosecutor said he respectfully disagreed with the sentence.

“I think that it sends the wrong message to others who hold the public trust. Fran Deane used her position for her own financial gain and should have received prison time, in my opinion,” Roger said.

Hastings said after the hearing that neither he nor his client would comment.

Vega also approved a motion to have personal belongings returned to Deane. The belongings included stuffed animals, a Paddington Bear, Beanie Babies, a palm pilot, a television, and CDs containing photographs.

According to court records, Deane received illegal cash payments in stuffed animals. It’s unclear if the stuffed animals she requested back were the same used in the payments.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.