Nevada secretary of state pursues tardy report-filers

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) -- Names of 40 candidates from the 2002 election cycle were turned over by Nevada's secretary of state to the attorney general for legal action because they didn't comply with report-filing laws.

Secretary of State Dean Heller said the candidates failed to file required contribution and expense reports or were late in filing the reports last year.

Heller wants Attorney General Brian Sandoval to file civil suits against the candidates in order to collect penalties ranging from $25 to $15,000.

Most of the biggest fines target members of the Independent American Party who, citing Fifth Amendment rights, wouldn't provide information on campaign reports.