Gibbons spokesperson says Democrats' ethics allegations wrong

A spokesman for Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., says a Democratic party news release charging he violated ethics rules is incorrect.

The Nevada State Democratic Party charged Wednesday Gibbons taped a gubernatorial campaign event from his congressional office - a clear violation of congressional rules which bar members of Congress from using their office or any other congressional facilities to campaign or conduct political events.

The release quoted a Las Vegas newspaper story about the candidate forum held Tuesday as saying Gibbons could not attend but appeared via a videotaped message "from his Capitol office."

Democrats charged that is an ethical violation and demanded Gibbons apologize to taxpayers.

Gibbons' press secretary Amy Maier said the newspaper story was incorrect.

"The taping was not done in Congressman Gibbons' congressional office," she said. "It was in the National Republican Congressional Committee office."

She said that facility is funded by the party, not the federal government, and is designed to provide Republican members of Congress with a proper and legal place for political and campaign activities.

Gibbons is one of three Republicans and two Democrats who have announced their candidacy for the 2006 governor's race.

n Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.