Nevada officials rake in gifts

Tickets to sporting events, star-studded award shows, hotel accommodations, travel and clothes were among gifts reported by some of Nevada's highest elected officials on recent financial disclosure statements.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported Thursday that of Nevada's constitutional officers, Secretary of State Ross Miller received the most - $15,622 - that included $9,600 for a CEO Leadership Group membership fee.

Miller also reported $120 in Wolfpack football tickets from lobbyist Alfredo Alonso; $350 from NV Energy to the Reno-Tahoe Open; and $150 from AT&T to attend the Bobby Dolan baseball dinner, a fundraising event for the University of Nevada, Reno baseball team.

Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki accepted gifts of $15,582, including $520 in Boston Red Sox tickets and more than $10,000 to attend state-related business meetings in China. He also reported $200 in Reno Aces baseball tickets and $2,000 from a friend for educational electronics, athletic gear, meals and other items.

Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto took $850 in tickets to the Latin Grammy Awards, $2,265 in tickets to the Anderson Silva-Vito Belfort Ultimate Fighting Championship and $600 in tickets to a NASCAR race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

She also took thousands of dollars in travel and hotel rooms from various organizations to attend attorney general-related conferences around the country.

In all, Masto reported accepting $13,561 in gifts last year.

Gov. Brian Sandoval reported only one gift, $500 in clothing from sponsors of the National Finals Rodeo.

His spokeswoman, Mary-Sarah Kinner, said the gift was unsolicited and the governor reported it as the law requires. She said he plans to donate it to charity.

Martin Dean Dupalo, president of the Nevada Center for Public Ethics, said it is important that politicians report their gifts, but he questioned why "people of means" had to take freebies to events they and everyone else could attend if they paid.

"I wouldn't call it unethical, but it raises questions among the people: Why did they accept these gifts?" said Dupalo, whose citizen organization in Las Vegas renders opinions on the ethical positions of politicians.

State Treasurer Kate Marshall and state Controller Kim Wallin reported no gifts.