Two Mustang Ranch suspects plead not guilty

"Not guilty," said Shirley Colletti, a former Storey County commissioner and manager of the infamous bordello 12 miles east of Reno.

"Not guilty," said Joann Olcese, a bookkeeper at the ranch.

The two entered their pleas Thursday with their attorneys before U.S. Magistrate Robert McQuaid Jr., who set their trial date for Oct. 13.

Joe Conforte, former owner of the brothel now a fugitive believed to be in South America, also was indicted last week in the federal investigation that includes allegations of secret Swiss bank accounts, death threats and political payments.

Also indicted was Eduardo Neves, a Brazilian national who is alleged to be one of the straw owners of A.G.E. Corp., current owner of the ranch.

Conforte is charged with racketeering, conspiracy, money laundering, wire fraud, bankruptcy fraud and witness tampering.

The 33-count indictment alleges that Conforte arranged to purchase the Mustang Ranch and other assets seized by the Internal Revenue Service by fraudulently using two companies known as Mustang Properties Inc. and A.G.E. Corp. as fronts for his ownership.

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