All the Gibbons campaign did was try to bribe, cajole and threaten Chrissy Mazzeo into taking it all back. But at least he sponsored the Gibbons Tax Restraint Initiative!
Oh, Mazzeo declined to take any money, by the way.
And Richard Wright, Mazzeo's attorney, makes an excellent case that would draw a reasonable person to conclude that Sheriff Bill Young is either bent or incompetent, though the two aren't mutually exclusive, s'pose. More later. Meantime, KLAS has part one of the presser.
(Several minutes later...)
Don Campbell, Gibbons' attorney, is slated to respond at 4. More wonderfully fun rhetorical questions!
Unbelievable....I have been search for the answer to the same question Wright has--who unlawfully released Mazzeo's identity. That's the key to everything because if she couldve laid low, its seems that she wouldve. It looks like its worse than anyone thought. Clearly, some law enforcement folks need some training in how to conduct investigations and treat sexual assault victims. They have classes for that....
Posted by: Ignatius | 10/25/2006 at 02:22 PM
Great press conference and great that its obvious an investiagation will HAVE to be done.
Posted by: Werd2406 | 10/25/2006 at 02:23 PM
i can't believe metro didn't return information for five days. i'm feeling like an ass for voting for doug gillepsie. isn't he bill young's little brother?
oh god, ralston's gonna stalk me. i don't think i could've voted for airola anyway. seems like a prick.
Posted by: gpr | 10/25/2006 at 02:31 PM
Sounds like its time for the FBI to step in and take over Sid Rogich's Metro....those folks over there are arrogant, incompetent, and have no regard for citizen rights. What a bunch of redneck playground bullies!
Posted by: JMB | 10/25/2006 at 02:41 PM
gpr, my sentiments exactly -- maybe Ralston was right -- I voted early yesterday and cast my ballot for Gillespie. Too bad "none of these candidates" didn't file for Sheriff.
Loved the press conference; thought Wright made Gibbsons' attorney look like a schlep, and thought Ms. Mazzeo easily was the most credible person to open his or her mouth during this entire debacle. I hope her life can return to some sense of normalcy very, very soon.
Posted by: The Penguin | 10/25/2006 at 02:47 PM
Chrissy Mazzeo came across as sincere and credible. Obviously reluctant. I was frustrated the bulk of the questioning focused on the legal aspects, and how many drinks were consumed, as opposed to the basics; what happened at the table and outside on the way to and inside the parking garage.
Where were the questions regarding the boring marriage and close enough to crawl to the hotel room? Any sexual overtones from Gibbons at the table or outside? A very late question got her to say Gibbons all but had her leg wrapped around her, and he acted "retarded."
It astonished me no one asked about the walk to the parking garage. Or what Gibbons said immediately before the assault. The press should have at least given her the opportunity to repeat the quoted words, "you have two choices...", etc. That would have been devastating, replayed in press clips instead of buried in old newspaper reports. I damn sure would have sampled what she was willing to describe or not describe, instead of so many questions about Bill Young and David Rogers.
So, Journeyman Jim apparently stole her keys, and waited outside for 20 or 30 minutes in the rain. Is that the officer influence, or gentleman?
And the photos of Mazzeo's injuries are AWOL. Silly me, I thought this was the high tech video age, but surveillance cameras suddenly don't work, and two weeks without basic still pictures.
Posted by: Gary Kilbride | 10/25/2006 at 03:25 PM
Gary - Completely agree. This woman is very credible. The conveniently non-operating video cams and Wright's inability to obtain the photos magnifies the stench emanating from Metro and Bill Young. We will get more of the same under Gillespie. The current state of law enforcement in Southern Nevada is pathetic and frightening. God help you if you are a crime victim on the wrong end of the political stick. Unfortunately, we get a Hobson's choice - Gillespie or Airola. I haven't voted yet . . . it's looking like "none of these candidates" is the only choice now.
Posted by: Obiter Dicta | 10/25/2006 at 03:35 PM
Let's see here. The Gibbon's camp seems to be in hot water now for:
Attempted Bribery
Conspiracy to commit Bribery
Suborning Perjury
Conspiracy to suborn Perjury
Threating and Intimidating a Witness
Conspiracy to Threaten and Intimidate a Witness
And the possible Federal charge:
Political corruption
Not to mention what Gibbons could have been charged with for the alleged attack on the victim.
What is the FBI waiting for? Obviously, Metro is unable to serve as lead agency here. Neither are the Clark County DA's office, or the Nevada AG's office.
This is like early 1960s Mississippi, with local state and local law enforcement incapable of investigating possible felony crimes!
Posted by: Anonymous | 10/25/2006 at 03:58 PM
If I was writing the headline for tomorrow's R-J, I think I'd go with something alliterative like:
"BOOZE, BABES, AND BRIBERY"
Posted by: scheck | 10/25/2006 at 04:02 PM
One of the most delicious aspects of this is that Mr. Wright essentially lobbed this into the DA's court. Now, what does David Roger do? Siding with the crony elite won't look good, but neither will ignoring the gauntlet that has been tossed. Of those in the power structure, he nonetheless seems the most trustworthy.
Still, I wish the FBI could get involved. Mr. Wright's jab about an investigation by an "impartial" law enforcement agency might have been the best zinger in the whole press conference.
As a former reporter I must confess I was embarrassed at the media's questioning. Getting hung up on who had how many drinks and over how many hours creates drama, enhances the salciousness and adds fuel to the fire, but Gary, you are correct; it doesn't get to the heart of the matter. Like the R-J's snoop into Ms. Mazzeo's finances as reported this morning, it has a lot to do with nothing.
Posted by: The Penguin | 10/25/2006 at 04:05 PM
salciousness = salaciousness
Dangit.
Posted by: The Penguin | 10/25/2006 at 04:07 PM
Watching Mr. Campbell's press conference...is he blaming the media for not digging up dirt on the victim? For goodness sake, Jim must have forgotten that he asked the media to back off the story!
Posted by: | 10/25/2006 at 04:20 PM
darn... can't see Campbell's press conference. And it looks like only Channel 8 is talking about this (looking at the websites).
Posted by: | 10/25/2006 at 04:50 PM
I hate to say this...but after how Metro screwed this up, I'm voting for Jer....Jerrrrr...Jerrrrrrrrrr. I can't say it, but you get the point. How sad for our community. Hey Metro...you got any pictures you care to share with the folks who pay your salaries?
Posted by: KidFromVegas | 10/25/2006 at 05:10 PM
Guillesspi (sp?!), should pull those ads where Young is endorsing him, NOW.
Posted by: Joe | 10/25/2006 at 05:16 PM
With each "old boys club" membership, there comes a get out of jail (hot water) free card.
Posted by: Diogenes | 10/25/2006 at 05:48 PM
Well, another try rat looking for an easy way out. Good job Chrissy....your the typical Las Vegas "Cocktail Mattress" you should be proud!
Posted by: Dave | 11/03/2006 at 02:38 PM