Henderson council to consider candidates for city attorney
The Henderson City Council could choose a new city attorney Thursday to replace Elizabeth Quillin, who lost her job earlier this year after a drunken driving arrest and conviction. Among the candidates are a former Las Vegas municipal judge and one of Sen. Harry Reid's sons.
The city attorney finalists were culled from more than 40 attorneys who applied to replace Quillin, who was arrested May 23.
In late August, Quillin pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor drunken driving charge. She received almost $100,000 from the city in an agreement regarding the termination of her contract. The payment prompted Mayor Andy Hafen at a recent meeting to order staff to revise how similar contracts are structured in the future.
The candidates include former Las Vegas Municipal Judge George Assad, who lost a re-election bid earlier this year. Assad is the father of Anthony Carleo, the "Bellagio Bandit," who was sent to prison this year after being convicted of two brazen casino robberies. Other candidates are interim City Attorney Christine Guerci-Nyhus, Marc Cardinalli , Richard Hinckley, Keith Kizer, Paul "Luke" Puschnig and Josh Reid, one of the Nevada senator's four sons.
Quillin earned about $190,000 a year.
The interviews Wednesday are closed to the public, but City Council deliberations to consider the professional competence and character of the applicants will be conducted in open session at
4:30 p.m. Thursday.
Afterward, the City Council could make its selection or schedule additional interviews with applicants. The council also could take no action at all.
Also, the City Council's regular Tuesday meeting was postponed to Wednesday afternoon because of state meeting notice requirements -- and for earlier in the day than usual. Henderson City Clerk Sabrina Mercadante said the Nevada Day holiday prevented the city from posting the agendas three days in advance, which prompted the one-day postponement.
Wednesday's committee meeting is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., and the regular meeting is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. The council meets at City Hall, 240 Water St.
Contact Doug McMurdo at dmcmurdo@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5512.
