Gibbons, Heller accept funds from brothel owner

RENO - Two Republicans running for Congress in Northern Nevada accepted campaign contributions from a brothel owner, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.

Secretary of State Dean Heller and former Assemblywoman Dawn Gibbons, R-Reno, each accepted $4,200 from Lance Gilman, owner of the Wild Horse Resort and Spa and Lance's World Famous Brothel in Storey County, reports filed Saturday show.

Heller also received $1,000 contribution from Barry Arfa, owner of Sin, a gentlemen's club in Las Vegas.

Assemblywoman Sharron Angle, R-Reno, criticized her Republican primary opponent for accepting money tied to prostitution.

"I would not do it. I believe that people want a higher standard from their legislators," Angle said.

Heller, Gibbons and Angle are vying for the seat being vacated by Gibbons' husband, Jim Gibbons, R-Reno. The winner of the Aug. 15 primary will face Democrat Jill Derby, a university regent.

Gilman said Tuesday he wrote the contributions checks from his personal checking account, and that the money did not come directly from the brothel. Gilman's brothels are part of a 104,000-acre industrial park, the largest such development in the country, he said.

"Because I am a major real-estate developer I stay active in politics," he said. "The brothel never contributed to any campaign."

"I know him at the business level," Heller said. "I don't know him as a brothel owner, and obviously, I don't condone that activity."

Gibbons said she does not condone legalized prostitution.

"As for Arfa, if you go to the secretary of state's Web site, the guy is listed as a business consultant," Heller said. "I have no idea what his activities on the side are. That is not his primary activity."

Arfa, a Las Vegas contractor who worked on resorts such as The Venetian and the Las Vegas Hilton, said he would not comment on the contribution.