Saturday, March 1, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
City Manager Charles McNeely told a hastily called news conference on Friday that the decision was based on a report by the state attorney general's office.
It came a week and a half after about 20 wives of police officers met with McNeely and Mayor Jeff Griffin to find out where they would stand if their husbands died in training.
Officer Keith Hashimoto was killed March 29 while parachuting with Navy Seals at Naval Air Station Fallon in a training exercise.
The city asked the attorney general's office for a criminal investigation into whether Hashimoto was on duty at the time and whether a supervisor improperly signed his time sheet.
Some $1.2 million in benefits for Hashimoto's widow, Carole, and two children was at stake.
The attorney general's office said it appeared that the benefits should be paid. But it also took the city to task for a confusing policy on when officers are working, taking time off or on overtime.
"There is no evidence of criminal wrongdoing when the officer filled out his time card," McNeely said. But he added that there are problems involving policies and procedures.
The mayor responded to criticism of the city's decision to question paying the death benefits to Hashimoto's family.
"We believe we acted in good faith and responsibility to the people of Reno by pursuing some of the questions that arose," he said.
Acting police chief Jim Weston earlier said he was puzzled by the investigation.
"If he was doing something for the city like he was, it's reasonable that he was to be covered by insurance," Weston said. "They can't train for free."
Parachute training for SWAT team members was suspended following the Hashimoto's accident.
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