A massive investigation of corruption within local homeowner associations has all but disappeared from the public's radar screen, and like that HOA investigation, the criminal case against former Clark County Recorder Fran Deane also seems to have faded away.
So what happened to these and other investigations first reported by the I-Team? The simple answer is, these things take time.
Just because we don't hear much about an ongoing investigation doesn't mean it has stopped or even slowed down, but here's and update of a few of those cases.
Fran Deane
Four years ago, the I-Team broke the story about a scheme by the duly elected Clark County Recorder to sell off huge piles of public documents to her real estate cronies.
A newly formed public corruption team within Metro Police heard about Deane's shady dealings back then. Their investigation led to the seizure of mountains of information from Deane's county office. District Attorney David Roger led the charge to have Deane booted out of office followed by a series of criminal charges.
Investigators say Deane accepted cash payments in exchange for giving her associates the first crack at sensitive title documents that belong to the public. One of the cash payments she received was reportedly delivered inside a teddy bear.
Dean was charged with 18 felony counts. She has repeatedly changed lawyers, which has led to lengthy delays, but her time has run out. She is scheduled to appear in court September 21, 2009.
Deane has offered to plead guilty to six felony counts, but as part of that deal, she wants a guarantee that she won't have to serve any time behind bars. Law enforcement sources say the DA quickly rejected that offer in the belief that anyone convicted of six felonies deserves to do some time. So, no deal the DA says.
Lacy Thomas
The former chief of University Medical Center probably cost local taxpayers more than $10 million during his brief tenure at the financially strapped public hospital.
Lacy Thomas allegedly dished out lucrative contracts to cronies and fraternity brothers from Chicago -- men who fronted companies that simply weren't qualified to do the work they were paid for. Thomas was fired in January of 2007, shortly after Metro Detectives raided his UMC office.
Ever since, investigators have worked hard putting together a 10-count criminal case against Thomas. That case is scheduled to finally come to trial in December.
In the meantime, Thomas has landed another job in the medical field -- working for a medical billing company based in Texas. His political benefactor, former Clark County Commissioner Yvonne Gates left Nevada and is reportedly building yet another mansion in her new hometown in Colorado.
UMC Theft Ring
Another criminal probe centered on UMC is wrapped up according to law enforcement sources. Metro detectives uncovered a multi-million dollar theft ring involving at least four UMC employees who allegedly stole hospital equipment and resources over several years.
A massive and detailed report on the theft ring is now in the hands of the DA. Prosecutors are expected to pursue racketeering charges against the suspects since they believe this was an ongoing criminal enterprise.
Indictments could be just days away.
HOA Corruption Probe
A massive investigation into political corruption on local HOA boards seems to have vanished but is very much alive. Working in concert, police detectives and FBI agents have been sifting through mountains of financial records and legal documents seized from several HOA's around the valley.
Lawmen say the central suspects arranged the takeover of several HOA boards, which were stacked with co-conspirators who then authorized construction defects lawsuits to be filed, most often by the Law Office of Nancy Quon and partners.
Quon and the HOA boards funneled the repair work to a company owned by her close friend Leon Benzer, who raked in millions of dollars. Quon's firm earned millions more in the defects lawsuits, but homeowners say they were ripped off since the repair work simply wasn't done.
Investigators have identified dozens of possible targets for prosecution. Quon, considered a central suspect, closed her law office and sold her pending cases to other law firms. At least one of her partners relocated to Florida, which is where a management company named Platinum Services has also opened an office. Platinum managed several of the HOA's where problems occurred.
Benzer has reportedly entertained the idea of becoming a government witness, though no deal has been cut.
Most of the HOA boards have been purged of the officers suspected of participating in the scheme. The condos owned by the bogus board members, not surprisingly, have gone into foreclosure. Among those who might face indictment are at least two well known players in Nevada politics.
Medical Mafia Case
It's been years since warrants were served at the offices of a few dozen of Nevada's most prominent doctors and lawyers. The so-called Medical Mafia was suspected of participating in a conspiracy that siphoned tens of millions of dollars away from injury victims and legal clients.
So far, only three people have been charged. Dr. Mark Kabins is the latest to be indicted, but his case may hinge on motions pending before a federal appeals court.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments August 11, 2009 to decide if the government can proceed with prosecutions of alleged middleman and medical fixer Howard Awand and Las Vegas attorney Noel Gage, whose first prosecution ended in a mistrial.
The appeals court will decide whether the government can be forced to offer immunity to a defense witness.
Fran Deane
Lacy Thomas
Nancy Quon
Dr. Mark Kabins
