Suspect’s plea deal unsealed

The accountant who helped former Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny conceal an illegal payoff related to a controversial land deal pleaded guilty Friday to one count of honest services fraud, according to documents filed in federal court.

Dan Geiger helped establish a trust to hide money Kenny received for pushing through a zone change that paved the way for a CVS Pharmacy in 2001, according to an information report that was unsealed on Friday.

Geiger had pleaded guilty without a grand jury hearing his case. He is expected to cooperate with the federal government in its ongoing political corruption probe.

Real estate consultant Donald Davidson and his son, Lawrence, a Las Vegas attorney, were indicted in November 2005 on charges related to paying Kenny $200,000 after she initiated the unpopular zone change.

"Geiger understood that (Donald) Davidson would be providing Kenny with money although he understood that the money may not have belonged to Davidson," Geiger's plea agreement says. "Geiger also understood that Davidson and Kenny wanted to conceal from the public Kenny's receipt of the money.

Geiger further understood the payment would be given "because of an official act with the intent to influence Kenny. Geiger also knew it was illegal to conceal Kenny's receipt of the money."

Geiger did not return a phone message left Friday at his business, Master Plan Inc. His attorney, Bill Terry, was out of town and could not be reached for comment.

Donald Davidson's trial is scheduled to begin June 18. An arrest warrant was issued for Lawrence Davidson last year after he failed to show up at court proceedings. He still is missing.

Kenny, who pleaded guilty in 2003 to accepting cash bribes from strip club owner Michael Galardi, has also acknowledged receiving payoffs from Donald Davidson. During her testimony against former colleagues Mary Kincaid-Chauncey and Dario Herrera -- who were found guilty of taking bribes from Galardi -- Kenny told jurors of the $200,000 she received from Davidson.

"It was illegal because it wasn't a loan, and it wasn't a campaign contribution," Kenny testified.

Kenny is expected to testify against Davidson later this month. She is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11.

According to the indictment filed against Donald Davidson, he and Kenny discussed ways she could hide the $200,000 Davidson arranged for Kenny to receive as a result of the zone change. Lawrence Davidson set up a trust account named Ovington Nevada LLC. The company's manager was Charles Ovington Callin, Kenny's late father.

"Geiger had other contacts with Lawrence Davidson regarding the trust and the money, and helped Davidson set up the trust in the name of Kenny's relative in order to conceal Kenny's use of the trust to receive money," Geiger's plea agreement says.

Most of the money, about $174,000, was placed in the trust, according to court records.

Geiger's plea agreement requires him to "provide complete and truthful information and testimony concerning defendant's knowledge of all other persons who are committing or have committed offenses" and assist in the government's investigation and prosecution of the individuals.

Kenny testified last year that she shared the same accountant as Galardi. She said she and Galardi first met at their accountant's office when they had a long discussion about "good government."

Geiger is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 21.