Nevada Bombshell: Audiotape, Text Messages Emerge in Laxalt-Adelson Scandal
Lawmakers call for hearing on conduct of top GOP NV-GOV candidate
Yesterday brought another bombshell in the ongoing Adam Laxalt scandal. The Nevada Independent reports that lawmakers in the Nevada legislature issued a subpoena to obtain the infamous recording of Laxalt allegedly intervening in a legal case involving Las Vegas Sands on behalf of his biggest donor Sheldon Adelson. A hearing on Laxalt’s actions is expected in the near future.
From The Nevada Independent report:
“Ways and Means Chairwoman Maggie Carlton, who requested the subpoena, said the information is ‘unsettling and warrants a hearing.’ That hearing is expected soon, as is the release of the tape and affidavit, which were obtained under a promise of confidentiality with the control board.
“Burnett made the recording, the existence of which was revealed in February by The Nevada Independent, because he believed Laxalt was acting on behalf of his biggest donor, Las Vegas Sands Chairman Sheldon Adelson, to get him to intervene in a civil dispute that eventually cost the casino boss tens of millions of dollars.”
Then today, a newly released affidavit showed urgent text messages from Laxalt to Gaming Control Board Chairman A.G. Burnett organizing the infamous meeting in question:
“Attorney General Adam Laxalt sent a series of urgent text messages to Gaming Control Board Chairman A.G. Burnett to secure a meeting in which he asked the state’s top gaming regulator to intervene in a civil dispute on behalf of billionaire campaign donor Sheldon Adelson, according to an affidavit prepared by Burnett and obtained by The Nevada Independent.
“Burnett said he was ‘shocked and in disbelief’ at Laxalt’s actions, which included urging him to have the state assist Adelson in a lawsuit, something one of the attorney general’s deputies already had advised the control board not to do.”
“This scandal just got a whole lot worse for Laxalt,” said DGA Communications Director Jared Leopold. “As details continue to come out, Laxalt’s apparent abuse of power looks more and more troubling. Nevada needs leaders in Carson City to fight for working families, not do the bidding of their biggest donors.”
###