Disciplinary panel urges sanctions for Judge Steven Jones

By Cy Ryan

Thursday, Aug. 8, 2013 | 7 p.m.

The state Judicial Disciplinary Commission has suggested sanctions be imposed on suspended Clark County District Judge Steven Jones for his challenge to a complaint that he sat on cases his girlfriend-attorney was involved in.

The commission Thursday filed its answer in the Nevada Supreme Court to a petition by Jones who maintained the rules were not followed in bringing the complaint.

The commission was to start its disciplinary hearing July 29 in Las Vegas.

But Jones, through his lawyer Jim Jimmerson, got the Supreme Court to delay the session to consider allegations the commission failed to turn over evidence of the investigation and has failed to rule on his motion to dismiss the complaint.

Brian Hutchins, acting executive secretary of the commission, said Jones is wrong in his allegations. He said more than 2,000 pages in the investigative report was given to Jones.

Hutchins said the petition filed by Jones "is lengthy and repetitious, requiring unnecessary time from respondent (the commission) and this court."

He said the Jones petition was legally deficient and "this court should also consider issuing sanctions" against the judge.

Jones now has a chance to reply to the allegations of the discipline commission, and the Supreme Court will then decide the case.

The complaint by the commission says Jones presided over child abuse and neglect cases in which his girlfriend Deputy District Attorney Lisa Willardson was involved.

Jones has also pleaded not guilty in federal court to a charge he was involved in a scheme to defraud investors out of $3 million. Jones was suspended from his judicial position with pay after the federal government brought the complaint.