Saturday, March 1, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
U.S. District Court Judge Howard McKibben rejected Friday a request by Conforte's lawyers to decide now whether Conforte can remain out of jail while fighting bankruptcy and wire fraud charges.
The charges stem from his alleged use of laundered money to secretly buy back the Mustang Ranch brothel east of here after it had been seized by the federal government in 1990 for unpaid taxes while under his ownership.
Conforte's attorneys filed a motion Feb. 19, saying he would be willing to return to the U.S. to face the charges if he's guaranteed a release on his own recognizance.
Conforte, 71, has been living in Chile for the last six years and cannot be forced to return to the U.S. under a 1902 treaty between the two nations, his lawyers contend.
"So what you're really requesting then is that Mr. Conforte dictate the conditions under which he will return to the United States," McKibben told Conforte lawyer Daniel F. Cook on Friday.
"No, I'm not, your honor," Cook replied, adding Conforte needs to stay out of jail for medical reasons.
But McKibben said Conforte must be in court to answer his questions before he decides about releasing him on his own recognizance.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barr said Conforte entered Chile by falsifying his passport papers and lying about his criminal history.
Conforte obtained residency in Chile in 1996, despite his claims he has lived there for six years, Barr added.
Barr said Conforte has not lived in Chile for the last six months, but Cook said he thinks Conforte still is in Chile.
The government of Chile wants to detain Conforte and deport him as an "undesirable," according to documents filed Feb. 21 in Reno federal court.
Mustang Ranch is Nevada's largest legal brothel. Prostitution is allowed in 12 of Nevada's 17 counties under state law, but is forbidden in Reno and Las Vegas.
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