Las Vegas Sun

April 22, 2024

After $50,000 award to Tarkanian son, jury moves on to punitive damage

Jurors to reconvene Monday in libel, slander case involving 2004 Senate race

Tarkanian v. Schneider

Danny Tarkanian, right, and his attorney, Gus Flangas, listen to testimony from state Sen. Mike Schneider (D-Las Vegas). Tuesday was the first day of a civil trial resulting from a lawsuit filed by Tarkanian against Schneider claiming defamation during the 2004 senate campaign. Launch slideshow »

A Clark County jury that awarded $50,000 in damages to Danny Tarkanian Friday is scheduled to reconvene Monday morning to consider punititive damages in his civil libel and slander lawsuit spawned by his failed state Senate bid in 2004.

The Clark County District Court jury returned the damages verdict late Friday night in favor of Tarkanian, son of former basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian.

The Las Vegas Republican accused incumbent Democratic state Sen. Mike Schneider of maliciously misstating Tarkanian's record as a lawyer, his ties to telemarketing firms and his role in a college basketball scandal.

The 47-year-old Tarkanian filed the lawsuit in March 2005 after losing the election.

Schneider argued all the claims he made in the campaign were true and he could back them up.

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