New Lacy Thomas trial set to begin Aug. 2

A new trial date has been set for former University Medical Center chief Lacy Thomas, a week after a District Court judge declared a mistrial.

Thomas' case is scheduled to be heard Aug. 2.

Judge Michael Villani declared a mistrial after he learned Las Vegas police failed to turn over hundreds of pages of potential evidence. Those documents could lead to other witnesses or evidence to help Thomas defend himself, the judge said.

The mistrial came after two weeks of testimony by more than 16 witnesses.

Thomas is charged with five counts each of theft and misconduct by a public officer stemming from contracts UMC awarded to five companies when he ran the county's only public hospital.

Prosecutors contend that Thomas cost UMC about $10 million by awarding unnecessary or duplicative contracts to friends and associates from Chicago.

His defense attorney has said Thomas brought in his contacts because he had worked with them at a large county hospital in Chicago and trusted they could help solve major problems at UMC.