Troubled lawmaker 86’ed from Reno casino

By Anjeanette Damon

Monday, Feb. 18, 2013 | 8:12 p.m.

Embattled Assemblyman Steven Brooks was kicked out of a Reno casino on Friday evening, following a disagreement with restaurant staff.

Sources said Brooks caused a disturbance at the Johnny Rockets restaurant inside the Grand Sierra Resort. But Brooks contends he was recognized because of the "bad press" he's been getting and told to leave.

"She kicked me out and accuse me of not having a license in a gaming facility," Brooks said in a text message in response to a reporter's question on Monday. "Well, I was eating."

Brooks added that the casino official "was noticeably upset with me. Must have been the bad press I have been getting?"

A public relations official at the Grand Sierra Resort said she had no details on the incident.

Brooks has been banned from the Legislative Building and is on paid administrative leave as a select committee prepares to hear evidence on whether he is fit to serve in the Legislature. In the past month, Brooks has been arrested twice in Las Vegas — once on allegations he threatened Speaker Marilyn Kirkpatrick, D-North Las Vegas, and a second time on domestic battery charges. He also was detained by police for a psychiatric evaluation and was hospitalized for five days.

Despite being banned from the building, Brooks has reportedly been living in a Carson City apartment and also stays with a family member in Reno, sources said.

Assembly leaders are moving forward with a select committee that will hold public hearings on Brooks' fitness for duty. The committee will then recommend to the full Assembly whether to expel him permanently from the Legislature.

Assembly Majority Leader William Horne, D-Las Vegas, said Monday the committee is "very close" to selecting a special counsel to present evidence on Brooks' behavior.