Gibbons questioned in Mazzeo deposition

Gov. Jim Gibbons answered questions for nearly four hours Friday from the lawyer representing Chrissy Mazzeo, a woman who claims the politician assaulted her in 2006.

"The entire time he maintained his composure, and I'm very proud of him," said attorney Pat Lundvall, who represents the governor.

Mazzeo's lawyer, Robert Kossack, questioned the governor during a deposition for his client's federal lawsuit against Gibbons and others. Mazzeo attended the second half of the deposition.

Kossack originally planned to conduct the deposition at his law offices in Las Vegas, but on Thursday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Leen granted an emergency motion to change the location.

Leen ordered Kossack to conduct the deposition at the Lloyd George U.S. Courthouse in downtown Las Vegas after the governor's lawyers raised security concerns about Kossack's law offices.

Lundvall said about a dozen people attended the deposition, held in a conference room on the third floor of the courthouse. The lawyer described her client's testimony as open and honest.

"He withstood examination from an attorney who, in my opinion, did not act with the appropriate level of professionalism," she said.

Lundvall said she was referring to the nature of the questions Kossack asked her client, but she would not elaborate.

Kossack said Lundvall "didn't like any questions relating to infidelity."

"I guess that's what she must have considered unprofessional," he said.

Gibbons and his wife, Dawn, recently agreed to a divorce settlement. Dawn Gibbons had accused the governor of having extramarital affairs.

Mazzeo claims she drank cocktails with Gibbons and others on Oct. 13, 2006, at McCormick & Schmick's near Flamingo and Paradise roads. She claims he later assaulted her in a nearby parking garage and then used his influence to cover up the incident.

Kossack said he found some discrepancies between Gibbons' deposition testimony and his prior statements in the case.

"Naturally, he didn't admit to anything that could be real damaging," the lawyer said.

Kossack said Gibbons "still claims he never entered the garage" and still claims he never grabbed Mazzeo by the biceps.

No trial date has been scheduled for the civil case. Depositions are part of the pretrial discovery, or fact-finding, process. Lundvall said lawyers in the case have until mid-May to complete discovery.

Kossack said Mazzeo's deposition took place last week at Lundvall's office. He said it lasted a total of 14 hours over the course of three days.

Contact reporter Carri Geer Thevenot at cgeer@reviewjournal.com or 702-384-8710.