Real estate consultant told to turn himself in
Real estate consultant Donald Davidson, who was convicted earlier this year of wire fraud and conspiring to commit wire fraud, was ordered to surrender himself to a federal prison by noon May 30.
U.S. District Judge Roger Hunt rejected Davidson’s request in March to remain free until his appeal is heard. Davidson was initially supposed to begin his 24-month sentence on March 28.
A jury in January found Davidson guilty of attempting to pay off then-Las Vegas City Councilman Michael McDonald in 2002. The charges stem from a luncheon Davidson scheduled with McDonald to discuss zoning matters in the city.
Discussions about the luncheon were captured by federal authorities who placed a wiretap on the phone of Lance Malone, a former Clark County commissioner and Davidson confidant.
McDonald called Malone after the meeting and expressed concerns about Davidson’s comments.
"The way he came across; not the way I operate," McDonald told Malone.
During a subsequent conversation with Davidson, Malone quizzed the consultant about what he said to McDonald. "I approached him the same way I approached you," Davidson said during the call. "I have five dimes to spread around."
Eighteen additional counts against Davidson were dismissed. Those charges were related to paying off County Commissioner Erin Kenny.
The 73-year-old Davidson will serve his prison term at a camp in Tucson, Ariz.