Nuclear agency audit stalled by absence of director

Auditors on Wednesday gave lawmakers more material to criticize the state's Agency for Nuclear Projects.

But without Director Bob Loux, who was on state business in Washington, D.C., the criticism pretty much stalled over a set of bookends.

The bookends in question raised eyebrows on the audit subcommittee because they were purchased with contingency funds which are supposed to be used for "unforeseen expenses" and emergencies.

The bookends cost $38 and bear the initials "RL," for Robert Loux.

Trudy Stanford, an accountant technician in Loux's office, told the committee she was responsible for the bookends bearing the initials.

"He needed the bookends, and I just chose to do that myself," she said. "In retrospect, I wouldn't do that again."

The bookends were bought, along with decorative wall atlases, bookcases, desks and other supplies, with money auditors say should probably have been turned back to the state treasury.

Beyond that, the auditors complained that Loux's agency, which is battling federal officials to keep the nation from burying high level nuclear waste in Southern Nevada, missed the chance for more than $50,000 in reimbursements from the federal government for its activities.

The nuclear projects agency report was followed by a treasurer's report showing the state is solvent, with about $2.8 billion in securities and cash deposits.

"Well, we've got money in the bank and we've got bookends," said Sen. Dean Rhoads, R-Tuscarora, who heads the subcommittee.