Promoter fined $5,539 for failing to have use permit

Phil Immordino must pay a $620 fine and $4,919 in restitution to the Mohave County Sheriff's Department for security they provided at the event. He was also given a suspended 10-day jail sentence.

"This sounds like backwoods law enforcement extortion," Immordino said. "We had approval from the county attorney, Bill Eckstrom, to proceed with the event and he said that they would not do anything."

Immordino, 40, 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 was arrested by Mohave County Sheriff's deputies following the event.

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.

"We're happy to see the court reach that decision," Chief Deputy Jim McCabe said. "This will help offset the burden to the taxpayer for the cost of assuring public safety at the event."

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.

Immordino said he will appeal the ruling.

archive