Mayor fined $1,000 by state ethics panel

The Nevada Ethics Commission imposed the fine Friday evening after deciding Breslow violated a state law prohibiting elected officials from using government property for personal use. The violation was punishable by a fine of up to $5,000.

In a settlement announced earlier in the day, Breslow agreed to pay $3,100 in restitution for about one-third of the calls he made on the phone between 1995 and 1998. The agreement covers the personal calls, but Breslow's lawyer said it was not an admission of guilt.

"Isn't it just common sense that you don't expect the taxpayers to pay for your personal life? And the answer is, absolutely yes," said commission chairwoman Mary Boetsch.

Breslow said he was unaware of the state law prohibiting personal use of the official city phone. He declined comment on whether he would appeal the panel's ruling.

"I did not willfully violate the law," he said. "I'll accept that none of us in the city of Sparks knew about the statute and I'll pay the restitution that I have offered."

David Farside of Sparks filed the ethics complaint last year after the Sparks City Council denied his request for an audit of Breslow's cell phone use. He praised the panel's ruling.

"I'm very pleased that the process works," he said. "I'm an activist. All I do is stand in the middle and ask questions and make people accountable."

Breslow said he asked for the cell phone to handle the deluge of calls he had to return as mayor while holding down another job.

"It really does come down to common sense," Boetsch said. "There are some things you do not do. If you're too busy to do both, then give up one."

Breslow has announced he won't seek re-election to a third term this year.

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