Parole Board chairman resigns

State Parole Board Chairman Richard Wyett has announced his resignation after just five months in the post.

Wyett said in a letter to Gov. Kenny Guinn he will leave the job Dec. 15 because of "recent conflicts and allegations as well as my personal opinion about inappropriate activity that I became aware of that seriously undermines the board's credibility."

"Tolerating that activity would mean condoning it and I cannot in good conscience remain on the board knowing I do not have the support of your office to halt this behavior," he said.

Wyett did not explain those comments. He could not be reached for further comment and officials in the governor's office declined to elaborate.

Wyett retired as administrator of the State Parole and Probation Division a year ago and came out of retirement to take the Parole Board post.

The job pays $78,000 a year.

He said during his tenure he has initiated a number of programs including establishing administrative review hearings to assist in supervising parolees and working on inter-agency relations with the prison system and parole and probation division.

He is one of the few African Americans in charge of a state agency in Nevada.