Nevada Secretary of state: Wheeler must amend financial disclosure statements

CARSON CITY — Embattled Assemblyman Jim Wheeler, R-Gardnerville, has been directed to amend past financial disclosure statements to correct discrepancies pointed out by a potential opponent.

Wheeler, who represents District 39, must correct his statements to show $6,168 in Michigan state tax liens related to a business there, the Nevada secretary of state’s office said.

He also must correct conflicting information about his Nevada residency and identify his employers over a three-year period.

In a letter to Wheeler on Monday, Scott Gilles, the deputy secretary of state, noted that Wheeler last month promised to “voluntarily amend” the disclosure statements.

These statements, due each Jan. 15, identify politicians’ income sources, debts, property and any gifts they received valued at more than $200.

Wheeler denies owning any businesses in Michigan or owing that state any money. But he has yet to give the secretary of state any statements from Michigan showing he does not owe the money. If Wheeler can do so, Gilles said, he doesn’t have to make that amendment.

The case will be closed with no civil penalties sought if Wheeler makes the changes, Gilles said.

Former Assemblyman Kelly Kite, R-Minden, initiated the complaint against Wheeler. Kite lost to Wheeler in the 2012 primary and is expected to run against him this year. Robin Reedy, former chief of staff to Gov. Jim Gibbons, also has said she will run.

Wheeler became the subject of a national furor last fall when a videotape surfaced in which he said he would vote for slavery if that is what his constituents wanted. He and his supporters have complained that his comments were distorted for political reasons and that he was only using an extreme example to illustrate his willingness to do what constituents want.

Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901. Follow him on Twitter at @edisonvogel.