Navy finally pays $540,000 in Dixie Valley land case

A lawyer for Edward Slawinski, 82, now living in Los Angeles, said Monday the Slawinski got a check for about $540,000 - the award amount plus interest.

"He's very happy," added Dan Walsh of Carson City. "He said he's never seen so much money in his life."

Slawinski won his case a year ago, but the Navy appealed. U.S. District Judge Dave Hagen of Reno ruled against the Navy last March, but Walsh said the military then started an appeal to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

But the Justice Deparment finally advised that there was no basis for continuing an appeal and the check was delivered to Slawinski.

Jurors agreed with Slawinski in 1998 that the Navy should pay more than the $40,000 offered for his 590-acre ranch.

He had pointed to a steadily decreasing series of offers by the Navy over the years, beginning at $189,000. Finally, after a condemnation suit in 1995, the Navy had a new appraisal done and offered just $40,000.

Slawinski argued that if the land was worth less it was because of the Navy's actions and use of the area as a supersonic training range.

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