McLean must pay for public defender

by F.T. Norton

Appeal Staff Writer

A Dayton judge on Wednesday agreed to allow former Lyon County Public Administrator Jason McLean to use the services of the public defender to fight felony embezzlement charges. But Justice of the Peace Bill Rogers had one caveat: McLean must pay for the service at a cost of $500 a month.

"It appears as though the defendant's income exceeds the presumptive level," said Rogers. "But I don't see any reason to allow the lack of money to prevent this from going forward.

"One of the purposes of this is to encourage you to go out and see what you can find that is cheaper," said Rogers.

District Attorney Bob Auer's stated that McLean's income of $3,600 a month as an economist for the state, and evidence that he paid off $120,000 in debt in the first five months of 2007, would preclude him from the use of a public defender.

"It appears that Mr. McLean has some sort of resource he can draw upon," said Auer.

McLean spoke just once during the 11-minute hearing.

"I don't believe I have the resources to hire an attorney," he said.

McLean, 35, is charged with four felonies for allegedly embezzling more than $16,000 from three different estates in January-March 2007.

He was elected as county administrator in November 2006. As such, he secures the money and property of a deceased person if an heir is not immediately apparent and with court approval, administers the estate.

Previous administrator Richard Glover is the focus of a $10 million lawsuit in which the family of a Wellington man claims Glover made off with their father's valuables prior to his children arriving in Nevada.

A preliminary hearing is set for McLean on April 3.

• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.