Congressman Jim Gibbons and his wife Dawn answered direct questions from Eyewitness News for the first time concerning the allegations and the lawsuit to have the tape released.
It took two weeks for the surveillance tape to surface. Eyewitness News talked with Crescent Properties corporate office in Dallas, Texas to ask why.
A spokeswoman said, quote, "We turned over the tape to authorities when they requested it."
Did Jim Gibbons assault Chrissy Mazzeo in a parking garage near McCormick and Schmick's on Friday, Oct. 13? It's a question that has plagued the race for governor for the past two weeks.
On Monday, Jim Gibbons answered questions about the incident with his wife, Dawn at his side.
Gibbons said, "I want to be the governor of Nevada and I am willing to tell the people of Nevada what they need to know about everything that went on."
Gibbons says he did nothing wrong.
Mazzeo told police Gibbons walked her to her car in the garage across from the restaurant. Once inside, Mazzeo says Gibbons grabbed her and pushed her into a wall.
Gibbons says she's a liar. "It's time for the public to hear the tapes. On the tapes we will see. It will show nothing because I was not in the garage as she claimed."
The candidate for governor says Mazzeo tripped outside the restaurant and he stopped her from falling and then she walked away.
Gibbons' wife, Dawn believes her husband when he says nothing happened. "The pressures of campaigning is nothing compared to someone accusing him of something so ugly, so evil," She said.
Gibbons questions the timing of the accusations. With two weeks to go in a highly contested race for governor, the controversy had an effect. Gibbons' lead in the polls shrank.
"This is obviously timed to hurt our campaign. I think the voters of Nevada are a lot smarter than this," Gibbons continued.
The congressman spoke about the incident with his attorney last week, but he did not take any questions. He thought that news conference would put an end to it.
Now Gibbons believes releasing the two-hour surveillance tape will prove his innocence.
"I think as an individual, yes, I can put this behind me. Yes, I can go forward and talk about the issues and show the leadership necessary to be a great governor," Gibbons added. "I take great pride in my character."
A judge will decide Tuesday whether to compel Metro Police to release the tape.
Now that Metro finally has the tape Jim Gibbons wants everyone to see it. But Chrissy Mazzeo has now filed charges, which makes it unlikely the tapes will be released.
Surveillance video, such as this, is impounded by Metro Police as part of on ongoing investigation.
Because of the criminal complaint, it may be more than a month before the tapes are seen publicly. That would happen at a preliminary hearing.
Dawn Gibbons continues to help her husband on the campaign trail.
Send your comments to Reporter Edward Lawrence at elawrence@klastv.com
Jim Gibbons said, "I want to be the governor of Nevada and I am willing to tell the people of Nevada what they need to know about everything that went on."
