Kessler International Audit Report Regarding Building and Fire Safety in Clark County, NV Released Today

NEW YORK, NY… March 13, 2008........

Kessler International was recently commissioned to perform an audit of circumstances surrounding the way a complaint lodged by a whistleblower employed at a Harrah’s property on August 23, 2006 was handled by the Clark County Development Services Building Division (“Building Division”) and the Clark County Fire Department – Fire Prevention Department.

Kessler’s audit pertained only to the handling of complaints by the Building Division and the CCFD. It should be noted that the Department of Administrative Services Public Response Office is the agency that accepts residential building complaints. This office’s practices were not reviewed as a portion of this audit.

Kessler’s report reveals that the processes in place relative to building and fire safety code violations are meant to ensure the public safety and safe guard the lives of residents and an estimated 39.2 million visitors and tourists who travel annually to Las Vegas. Kessler has determined that these processes have significant weaknesses, and the lack of internal controls and accountability that they require allows inspectors and others in positions of public trust to circumvent the controls currently in place. Inadequate record keeping, falsified reports, favoritism and a general lack of concern and sense of urgency regarding complaints by the inspectors has caused Kessler to conclude that significant change to the current practices needs to be implemented.

During the audit, Kessler observed that the County Manager and her management staff were committed to exposing weaknesses in the system currently in place and to taking corrective action to prevent future occurrences. This commitment was demonstrated on countless occasions. Kessler also noted that many of the employees who work at the Building Division and the Clark County Fire Department are dedicated public servants performing critical work and doing it well.

But unfortunately, Kessler uncovered a number of instances where unethical practices, falsification of records, and a general failure to perform the functions essential to their positions, whether due to lack of training or refusal to be personally vested in their work was demonstrated by Clark County employees. These employees cast a stigma on the commitment of their counterparts.

A portion of Kessler’s findings have been referred to a law enforcement agency for further investigation.

The entire report is available on the Clark County website at http://www.co.clark.nv.us/Public_communications/news_releases/080312_kessler.htm.

For additional information about Kessler International, please visit our website at www.investigation.com.