Promoter to face fine for failing to have use permit

Phil Immordino was found guilty in court here Monday for failing to have a use permit for the July 11 event. Some 6,000 spectators watched 700 runners race along a dirt track in an Americanized version of the running of the bulls event made famous in Pamplona, Spain.

Immordino, 40, was arrested by Mohave County Sheriff's deputies following the event. The county is seeking $9,800 in restitution for money it paid to provide security at the event.

Immordino faces a fine of up to $1,200.

This year's event was scheduled in Mesquite, but was moved just across the state line to Mohave County when Nevada officials balked at having the event on a state highway.

The Mesquite City Council has approved a one-year contract with Immordino to hold the bull run next July on the city's rodeo grounds.

After he was found guilty in Monday's hearing, Immordino said he did not authorize the sheriff's department to work the event.

Steve Johnson, a spokesman for the Mohave County Sheriff's office, said his department supplied 15 officers for traffic and crowd control.

Page, Ariz., attorney Cathy Johnstone, who represented Immordino on the use-permit charge, said her client always represented himself to be an agent for the bull run. The court could have required the landowner and sponsors of the event to get a permit, Johnstone said, but it chose to fine Immordino instead. Johnstone said Wednesday's order and judgment could also include the Mohave County Sheriff's restitution request, but that would be up to the judge.

"There are a number of legal issues here," Johnstone said, adding that she wasn't sure whether Immordino would pay the fines or appeal.

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