Two big revelations tonight from a hearing where Democratic legislators asked probing questions, Republican legislators mostly acted like partisan hacks, and Attorney General Adam Laxalt tried but failed to create a bizarre alternate reality where all of this is totally normal.
- The Gaming Control Board has asked Attorney General Adam Laxalt to recuse himself on this issue! Watch the video here, in response to a Republican Senator’s question.
- It was Governor Brian Sandoval’s office that was apparently concerned about criminality and recommended that A.G. Burnett turn the tape over to the FBI.
In case you missed the hearing, here’s a quick Twitter recap:
@NevadaForward: BREAKING: Gaming Control Board has requested @AdamLaxalt’s office recuse themselves and for outside council.
@NevadaForward: [email protected]_Kieckhefer: “Has GCB asked you to recuse yourself or ask for outside counsel?” @AdamLaxalt: “Yes, they have.” #NVLeg
@RileySnyder: Laxalt – GCB has asked him to recuse himself on this issue #nvleg
@AlisonNoon: Ford: I think reasonable person cld read transcript & believe you’re trying to coerce Burnett into filing a brief on behalf of Sands #nvleg
@meganmesserly: [email protected]: “Were you advocating on behalf of the Sands in asking to get an amicus brief filed?” #nvleg
@RalstonReports: “A reasonable person could conclude you were trying to coerce Mr. Burnett to file an amicus brief on behalf of the Sands.” — @AaronDFordNV
@AlisonNoon: “I believe that there is a conflict here and I am concerned about it and that’s why we brought the bill” (AB513) Carlton says #nvleg
@RileySnyder: [email protected]_carlton – “The fact that your client was uncomfortable enough to record the conversation gives me pause”
@RalstonReports: Laxalt saying everyone on same page. Now he’s saying a “line DAG” below his senior guys said not to intervene. Here we go: BLAME STAFF.
@RalstonReports: Let’s be clear about one thing, which is a TOTAL COINCIDENCE: Adelson was desperate not to have this doc be introduced into a court case.
@RalstonReports: “Did you know governor’s counsel was the one who recommended the tape be turned over to the FBI?”
“First I’ve heard of that.”
@RalstonReports: Dems focusing on what’s in transcript, integrity of gaming, unusual circumstances.
GOPers focusing on leaks, decision to tape.
Telling.
@meganmesserly: [email protected] asks whether @AdamLaxalt devotes this much personal attention + sense of urgency to all cases. #nvleg
@meganmesserly: [email protected] asks why @AdamLaxalt would meet with Adelson/his employees without a representative of the Gaming Control Board. #nvleg
@RalstonReports: [email protected]_carlton hones in on key point, which is not court requesting but licensee who wanted kept confidential. A licensee named Adelson.
@SethARichardson: Burnett says the entire time the process was going on, he thought filing an amicus brief on behalf of Sands wouldn’t be appropriate
@SandraChereb: Burnett told GCB staff, gov’s office of recording. General Counsel advised giving tape to FBI. #nvleg
@RalstonReports: [email protected] talking about “derogatory” comments @adamlaxalt made about judges and specifically judge Adelson wanted off the case.
@meganmesserly: Burnett: “I think the nervousness was compounded by the events you’ve read about. We said no to the licensee multiple, multiple times.”
@RalstonReports: Dems focusing on what’s in transcript, integrity of gaming, unusual circumstances.
GOPers focusing on leaks, decision to tape.
Telling.
@RalstonReports: “Read the question again that someone else wrote for you,” Burnett says to James Oscarson, who is reading off laptop. Wow!
@meganmesserly: Burnett says he emailed the memo to board’s chiefs to apprise them of the situation in February 2017 when he learned the news would break.
@BenMargiott: Burnett says this instance was the first and only time he’s ever recorded a conversation, says he hopes it’s the last time
@RalstonReports: I repeat: Former AP reporter @Ben_Kieckhefer only interested in finding source of media leak. I’d say this is a parody, bit it’s a travesty.
@AlisonNoon: Burnett on independent GCB counsel: “it’s a dialogue that I believe is healthy and appropriate” #nvleg
@RalstonReports: After saying @AdamLaxalt “sold himself cheap” to Adelson, state Treasurer @Dan4Nevada is here for The Laxalt Tapes hearing.
@AlisonNoon: Laxalt not taking questions ahead of hearing #nvleg
