Nevada Briefly

Heller praised in U.S. Chamber ad

(Nevada Appeal Capitol Bureau) - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is running a TV ad in Nevada praising Dean Heller for "his record of fighting for taxpayers and small businesses."

"Nevada families deserve to know how the decisions in Washington are impacting their pocketbooks, their lifestyles and their livelihoods," said Tom Donohue, president of the U.S. Chamber.

He said the chamber is planning its largest voter education and grassroots mobilization campaign in its history for the 2012 campaign cycle. Donohue said the campaign is part of the chamber's effort to hold members of Congress and candidates accountable for their positions on health care, energy, labor and regulatory issues, among others.

The Carson City Republican was appointed to the seat vacated by John Ensign's resignation in May. He is running for the seat next year. Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., is also running for the seat.

U.S. attorney collected $85 million in Nevada past fiscal year

(Nevada Appeal Capitol Bureau) - Nevada U.S. Attorney Dan Bogden said Wednesday that his office collected $85 million in fiscal 2011 in fines and penalties. The vast majority of the money - $83 million - came from civil actions. Just $2 million was collected in criminal cases.

"The U.S. Attorney's Office is dedicated to protecting the public and recovering funds for the federal treasury and for victims of crime," Bodgen said in a release. "We will continue to hold accountable those who seek to profit from their illegal activities."

Nationwide, the agency collected a total of $6.5 billion during the year. The largest collections, he said, are cases in which the U.S. government money lost to fraud and other misconduct and fines imposed on individuals and corporations for violations of federal health, safety, civil rights and environmental laws.

Nevada brothel shuttered for violating ordinance

VIRGINIA CITY (AP) - Nevada has one less brothel after Storey County commissioners revoked the license of the Wild Horse Ranch outside Reno for violating a financial ordinance.

Owner Lance Gilman said Tuesday's decision put about 30 people out of work.

Gilman says he hopes to reopen in about three weeks if he gets permission to combine with another brothel he owns next door.

Commissioners ruled that Gilman violated a county ordinance by taking on a silent ownership partner in the business.

Commission Chairman Bob Kershaw said revoking the license probably helps Gilman get out of a draining business deal.

At the hearing, commissioners praised Gilman for his charitable contributions to the county.

Gilman also is the exclusive broker of the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center.