Arberry faces six felony charges in campaign reporting case

Morse Arberry, who served 25 years in the Assembly until his resignation last year, has been charged with concealing and diverting $121,000 in campaign contributions for his personal use.

The complaint was filed in Las Vegas Justice Court Friday morning saying Arberry, a Democrat, filed false campaign contribution and expense reports and perjured himself by stating under penalty of law that he had accurately reported all contributions in excess of $100.

According to the complaint, he failed to report 58 separate contributions received during his 2008 campaign. Those contributions were made by some of the biggest corporate and political contributors in Nevada politics including R&R Partners, the AFL-CIO, Associated General Contractors, Station Casinos and Southwest Gas. Altogether, the list totals $121,545.

Instead of depositing those contributions in his campaign accounts, the complaint charges he put them in a private bank account.

Arberry could not be reached for comment.

He was first elected to the Assembly in 1984 and served as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee for eight sessions.

He resigned last year amid a controversy over his failed attempt to get a Clark County contract to lobby for the district court there.

The investigation into his campaign finances reportedly began in October, a joint effort by the Secretary of State's office and Thom Gover, chief deputy attorney general in the Special Prosecutions Division.

Since the charges are all classified as Category D and E felonies, it's unlikely Arberry would face prison time if convicted. However, he could also be looking at federal charges if he failed to report those same contributions as taxable income.