VITTO WILL SERVE AS DA UNTIL KUNZI TAKES OVER NOV. 22

Commissioner Eastley said her observation has been the district attorney’s office has been in a state of chaos for more than a year.

"This is a very vital concern to the office in being able to get in here early. There has been a lot of chaos in the office as commissioner Eastley stated. This helps in the transition and making some of the changes I want to do,” Kunzi said.

By MARK WAITE
PVT
10 November 2010

TONOPAH — Nye County Chief Prosecutor Kirk Vitto, a 20-year county employee, was appointed interim district attorney Tuesday by county commissioners until Nov. 22, when Brian Kunzi will take the post.

Former Nye County District Attorney Bob Beckett resigned his post effective Nov. 1, in a plea bargain to a charge of obstruction of a public officer, in connection with the administration of the bad check program.

Commissioner Joni Eastley made the motion. Fellow commissioner Lorinda Wichman wondered if the D.A.’s office could get by until January without a district attorney when Kunzi’s regular term begins.

Eastley said the county never filled former chief civil deputy district attorney Ron Kent’s position, after he was terminated by Beckett last February. But assistant county manager Pam Webster said the county didn’t include Kent’s position in the current fiscal year budget.

Eastley was correct when she said Nye County will save money not having to pay Kunzi the longevity pay Beckett enjoyed. Webster said that will save the county $16,000 for the rest of the fiscal year, which ends June 30. Another $10,000 savings will be realized from having Vitto in that position for half of November, she said.

Eastley said her observation has been the district attorney’s office has been in a state of chaos for more than a year. Two other D.A.’s office employees have had to pick up Kent’s workload, she said, referring to Marla Zlotek, the newly-appointed chief civil deputy district attorney, and Michelle Jones, a deputy district attorney.

Eastley disagreed with Wichman’s suggestion to keep Vitto as interim D.A. until January.

“We would be asking him to assume the responsibilities of providing direction to that department in addition to having a huge caseload in the criminal department,” Eastley said. She added, “This department is in strong need of permanent direction.” 

Kunzi, who made the trip to Tonopah, said he already worked out his early resignation from the state attorney general’s office.

“This is a very vital concern to the office in being able to get in here early. There has been a lot of chaos in the office as commissioner Eastley stated. This helps in the transition and making some of the changes I want to do,” Kunzi said.

(The post above is the complete article from the Pahrump Valley Times)

http://pvtimes.com/news/vitto-will-serve-as-da-until-kunzi-takes-over-nov-22/