Political consultant in extortion investigation denies “conduit” donations

Republican activist and political consultant Tony Dane’s attorney is sharply denying that Dane illegally funneled conduit contributions to his political action committee through his political consulting company.

Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske launched an inquiry earlier this month into Dane’s political action committee, CRC PAC, asking him to disclose the names of client contributors tied to Dane &Associates. The consulting firm made a $200,000 donation to the political action committee last year.

The state got involved after receiving a complaint from the Clark County Republican Party on Jan. 28. It asked for disclosure of any “conduit” contributors who funneled money through Dane &Associates.

David Otto, Dane’s attorney, told the state there are none to report.

Catherine Lu, a spokeswoman for the secretary of state, said the office has yet to respond. It’s unclear what the next steps will be.

Otto wrote that Dane &Associates has clients in several jurisdictions, and Nevada “being the small, poor state that it is, makes up a very small portion of Dane’s business.”

The state had also asked why Dane &Associates does business in Nevada despite being “permanently revoked” as a business entity in the state.

Otto said Dane relocated his corporation to Delaware, and any Nevada clients contacted Dane in Virginia, removing the need for a business license in Nevada.

Dane’s political action committee is also part of an investigation into allegations of an attempted extortion of Assemblyman Chris Edwards, R-Las Vegas. Las Vegas police executed a search warrant at Dane’s Virginia home Feb. 5, seeking financial records and computer and electronic equipment. No one has been arrested or charged in the probe, which started after Edwards went to Las Vegas police in December with concerns.

Police on Jan. 31 also searched the Las Vegas home of veterans advocate and activist Rob Lauer, taking electronic equipment.