Cavagnaro may meet with black leaders

An attempt by embattled UNLV athletic director Charlie Cavagnaro to meet with local black leaders is in the works and may happen as early as today, sources said.

Cavagnaro has been accused of making racial and homophobic remarks about UNLV student-athletes.

Last week, Cavagnaro was retained as the school's AD after president Dr. Carol Harter announced the findings of an independent investigation by the chancellor's office to be insufficient to warrant serious disciplinary action.

A press conference was held last week by community leaders to denounce Harter's handling of the affair.

"I remain cautiously optimistic that we'll be able to meet," Gary Peck, director of the Las Vegas chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, said. "We are having ongoing discussions in an attempt to get this meeting together."

David Chesnoff, Cavagnaro's attorney, proposed a meeting between the two sides in an attempt to settle the matter and move on. The meeting originally was scheduled for Monday, then got pushed back to today, then was moved to Wednesday.

But when Peck talked to Chesnoff Monday, the meeting was suddenly canceled. However, the two talked later in the day and attempted to resurrect the meeting.

"My idea initially, which was 10 days ago, was to have everyone express their opinions, get some open dialogue and have everyone move on," Chesnoff said. "But I'm not going to sit down and allow my client to be browbeaten."

Peck supposedly demanded that Cavagnaro permit the university to make full disclosure of Kwasi Nyamekeye's report as well as issue a public apology for anything he (Cavagnaro) allegedly said.

In addition, Peck was prepared to have a former university employee, who was among those interviewed by Nyamekeye, present at the meeting to confront Cavagnaro about the alleged remarks.

"What I'd like this meeting to be is for all of us to discuss openly and honestly to give our sides of the story," Peck said. "If in the course of those conversations there is substantial proof Mr. Cavagnaro made the remarks that those who have heard him claim he did, that he apologize."

Chesnoff said his client will not be part of such a process.

"We're not going to give full disclosure to anonymous sources," Chesnoff said. "He doesn't have a say in the university's policy. That's the university's matter, not Charlie's. Charlie cooperated fully with the investigation."

As for another apology, Chesnoff said, "As far as I'm concerned, Charlie is exonerated."

On May 29, Cavagnaro did apologize for any remarks he may have made as part of the university's statement which cleared him.

"It is my understanding that he was not exonerated by the school," Peck said.

Nevada State Assemblyman Wendell Williams (D-Las Vegas) hoped the meeting would take place.

"I'm waiting to hear whether or not it's a go," he said. "Frankly, I was surprised they even wanted to have a meeting. But if they have it, I'll be there."

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