[NvHam] SFGate: Nevada homeland security chief denies conflict led to resignation

[Harry KMA367 Marnell]

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http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2004/05/18/state1121EDT0042.DTL
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Tuesday, May 18, 2004 (AP)
Nevada homeland security chief denies conflict led to resignation



   (05-18) 10:19 PDT CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) --
   Outgoing state Homeland Security Adviser Jerry Bussell denied reports
Tuesday that his resignation was tied to questions of whether he helped
his wife's law firm and a friend apply for a government contract for a
statewide police radio system.
   "There was no conflict. That's wrong," Bussell said. "I met all the goals
I expected to meet. It was time for me to move on."
   Bussell said his decision to step down effective May 28 was not the result
of a his friendship with M/A-Com lobbyist Jim Endres, who is seeking a
contract to provide $40 million worth of police emergency radio equipment.
   Bussell acknowledged introducing Endres to state Emergency Management
Administrator Frank Siracusa during an April 1 state Homeland Security
Commission meeting in Las Vegas. Siracusa handles federal anti-terrorism
grants for the state.
   Endres is government affairs director at the McDonald Carano Wilson law
firm in Reno. Bussell's wife, Pat Lundvall, is a partner in the firm.
   Bussell called the introduction "casual" and said he had nothing to gain
by the awarding of the radio system contracts. They will be awarded by
local governments, not the Homeland Security Commission, which he chairs.
   Gov. Kenny Guinn was aware of the connection between Bussell and Endres,
Guinn spokesman Greg Bortolin said. But Bortolin said the relationship had
nothing to do with Bussell's announcement Friday that he would resign.
   The governor's aide also emphasized that the radio communications contract
had not been considered by the state Homeland Security Commission.
   Members of a commission subcommittee discussed the radio contract last
week with police officials.
   Bussell said he decided to step down because the other three members of
his staff were resigning for health reasons and other job opportunities.
   The homeland security chief said Guinn will be able to hire a new staff,
and said he would stay on to help the transition.
   Bussell was hired as Guinn's adviser on homeland security 18 months ago,
at $102,000 a year. When the Legislature created the Homeland Security
Commission last year, Guinn named Bussell its chairman.
   Bussell, a former Nevada National Guard officer, said he told Guinn the
adviser and commission chair positions should be separated.

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Copyright 2004 AP