Kenny’s sentencing might be postponed

The long-awaited sentencing of former Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny might be postponed again this morning because jurors did not reach a verdict Thursday in the corruption trial of real estate consultant Donald Davidson.

Kenny is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kent Dawson at 8:30 a.m. today, but that’s the same time the Davidson jury is to resume its deliberations. Dawson postponed Kenny’s sentencing Wednesday because jurors had just begun deliberating Davidson’s fate.

Davidson, 73, is charged with 28 federal counts including wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering and conspiracy. Kenny was a key witness for the prosecution.

She testified that Davidson paid her hundreds of thousands of dollars for her votes on zoning issues in which Davidson was involved. Davidson also is accused of attempting to bribe former Las Vegas City Councilman Michael McDonald.

Dawson said Wednesday that he shared Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Schiess’ concerns that deliberations could be affected if jurors learned of Kenny’s sentence. The sentence is expected to be the talk of the town, Schiess said.

Because circumstances have not changed since Wednesday, Schiess was expected to make a similar argument for postponement this morning.

Kenny pleaded guilty in 2003 to accepting bribes from strip club owner Michael Galardi. She cooperated with federal authorities, testifying in the criminal cases of Dario Herrera and Mary Kincaid-Chauncey, who served on the County Commission with Kenny and were convicted in connection with bribes they took from Galardi.

If Kenny’s sentencing is postponed, it would be the 10th time it is has been delayed.