Halverson’s Web site still lays claim to endorsements from 2006 bid

You’d be amazed at the number of respected businessmen, attorneys, police, firefighters and union groups supporting District Judge Elizabeth Halverson.

The Professional Fire Fighters of Nevada, the Las Vegas Lodge 1 Fraternal Order of Police, the National Law Enforcement Association of Nevada, Nevada Concerned Citizens, Veterans in Politics, the Southern Nevada Central Labor Council and La Voce. Law firms including Cobeaga Law Firm and Mainor, Eglet and Cottle. Staunch Republican businessman Jim Marsh. Attorney Robert Vannah.

Her Web site, www.halverson4judge.com, shows a tremendous amount of support in her bid for re-election to Department 23. She listed the site in her paperwork filed with the County Election Department.

Really, it’s quite amazing considering the amount of criticism Halverson has faced since last May, and that she is facing 14 counts of violating Nevada’s Judicial Code of Conduct. Halverson does have her fans.

However, if you look carefully, the endorsement dates are 2006, not 2008. These were endorsements she received when she was running against perennial candidate Bill Henderson. What we have is not a failure to communicate, but one more obvious example of Halverson’s deceitfulness. Potentially, the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline could make this a new count against her.

One of Halverson’s two opponents, Family Court Judge Stefany Miley, declined to comment Tuesday but provided a list of her own endorsements, which actually are for this year: The Las Vegas Police Protective Association, Communications Workers of America, COPS Nevada Division, Clark County District Attorney Investigators Association and Clark County Courts Deputy Marshals Association.

Miley was elected Family Court judge in 2004 and has two years left in her term. If she fails to win in District Court Department 23, she will retain her job in Family Court Department F.

Somehow I don’t think the groups on Halverson’s list are likely to keep hanging tight with a judge who has been suspended from the bench while being investigated by the discipline panel. Halverson did not respond to an e-mail seeking comment.

The third candidate in the race is Jason Landess. He said he was disappointed Halverson didn’t ask the organizations and people listed whether they still supported her. “It seems unfair to them and misleading to the public to leave those old endorsements on her Web site,” he e-mailed.

Landess has been an attorney since 1977, primarily in California and Nevada. He has both civil and criminal courtroom experience and more than 20 years of experience in civil litigation. Last March, a jury awarded him a $16.8 million verdict in a civil case. The case has settled, and he cannot reveal the financial details, but it’s obvious Landess has the money to finance a campaign. “I really do not need to depend upon the salary paid to a District Court judge to pay my bills for the rest of my life. I have filed to become a judge because I want to return dignity and competence to our fine judiciary, not because I need a job or want to use that position as a stepping stone for some other office,” he said.

I’m sure people and organizations that value their endorsements will be checking Halverson’s site to see if they are on her endorsement list. It is possible to withdraw an endorsement.

Political consultant Jim Denton handles judicial races but is not involved with anyone in this particular race. “It’s clearly her Web site from two years ago, and attaching it (to her filing document) is clearly misleading the voters. That didn’t happen by accident,” he said, calling it “deceptive and disingenuous.”

You’d think that at this point Halverson would be on her best behavior, especially since Canon 5 of the Nevada Code of Judicial Conduct clearly said judicial candidates “shall not knowingly misrepresent the identity, qualifications, present position or other fact concerning the candidate or an opponent.”

If the Nevada Supreme Court decides the Judicial Discipline Commission waited too long to formally charge Halverson on the 14 counts and dismisses the charges against her, the judge has just handed them something new that’s potentially charge worthy.

Last September Halverson said: “Give me a chance to try to get a little smarter.”

Four months have passed and she may be trying, but misrepresenting her endorsements shows Judge Halverson isn’t getting any smarter.

Jane Ann Morrison’s column appears Monday, Thursday and Saturday. E-mail her at Jane@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0275.