Decision on ex-manager rests with DA

A decision concerning a police investigation into former North Las Vegas city manager Linda Hinson's conduct while in office could come from the district attorney today.

A copy of the North Las Vegas Police report into allegations of misconduct was turned over to the district attorney's office Friday afternoon, according to Lt. Mike Blackwell.

District Attorney Stewart Bell said Friday once his office begins the evaluation process, a decision on whether criminal charges are warranted should be able to be made within 24 hours.

Hinson, who said she was going to ask the the district attorney's office for the report after city officials denied her a copy, did not respond to repeated telephone calls.

Blackwell said the investigation, which has focused on the city's lack of rights of way for the property surrounding Hinson's home at 4621 Kenny Way, did not branch out into any other areas of concern.

"From what I read there may be a little problem there, but this is out of our area of expertise," he said.

Hinson confronted members of the North Las Vegas City Council during their regular meeting last week about the investigation saying they wanted to discredit her and asking for a copy of the investigation report.

She did admit, however, that she did not sign over 30 feet of the property she and her husband, Roger, own to the city for a $1.

As a result, if the city needs a right of way to improve the street in front of the Hinsons' home it would have to condemn the street and purchase the property from the couple.

"That's the only form I didn't sign," she told the council. "If you still need it, I can't do it for a $1."

Hinson said that instead of a police investigation into the matter, the council should have had someone from the city ask her about the matter.

Mayor Michael Montandon told Hinson that the council did not request the investigation, the district attorney's office asked for it. City Attorney Richard Maurer, however, said the investigation was spurred by acting City Manager Pat Importuna, who approached the district attorney's office with concerns about Hinson's actions while in office.

The case was sent back to the city attorney's office, which turned it over to the North Las Vegas Police to investigate.

Hinson, who worked for the city for 20 years, had served as city manager since 1994. She was placed on paid leave through Oct. 1.

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