(Jeff German of Las Vegas Review-Journal) – Las Vegas police investigating an alleged Nevada Assembly extortion scheme are looking for evidence that Republican political consultant Tony Dane conducted illegal wiretapping and filed false public documents with the state during the scheme.
The new allegations surfaced this week in a search warrant police obtained to cover computers, digital equipment, cell phones and an automated dialing (robo-calling) system they seized from the conservative activist in Virginia and Utah.
Detectives with the Criminal Intelligence Section of the Metropolitan Police Department disclosed in previous warrants that they were investigating extortion and bribery allegations in the scheme targeting Las Vegas Republican Assemblyman Chris Edwards.
Dane — who has denied wrongdoing and attacked police conduct in the investigation — is regarded as the central figure in the scheme.
Police said last week they do not plan to recommend charges against any state lawmakers in the investigation, which began in December after Edwards reported that he was subjected to pressure to change his vote for Assembly speaker. Republicans installed Las Vegas Assemblyman John Hambrick as speaker in February, following a contentious caucus fight.
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