Wealth of Nevada's congressional delegation detailed

Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., is the only member of Nevada's congressional delegation who isn't a millionaire, according to new financial disclosure reports.

Gibbons, 58, reported assets ranging from $302,008 to $630,000. Last year, Gibbons' worth was at least $682,621.

A former pilot for Delta Airlines, Gibbons got monthly pension payments of $666 from the company.

The man Gibbons might challenge in next year's election, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., listed assets between $2 million and $5 million. The high estimate of Reid's worth last year was $3.7 million.

Reid, 63, was the only member of the delegation who reported getting speaking fees, which he donated to undisclosed charities. Reid, the Senate Democratic whip, delivered nine speeches for a total of $17,750.

Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev, showed assets ranging from at least $1.8 million to possibly $6.7 million.

Most of Porter's wealth derived from his Henderson insurance agency with a value between $1 million and $5 million. Porter earned $102,000 last year working for the agency.

Income from Porter's assets produced between $107,705 and $221,000 in 2002.

Porter, 48, reported liabilities ranging from $202,004 to $530,000. Two mortgages accounted for most of the liabilities.

Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., reported a worth ranging from $1.5 million to $2.9 million. The high estimate of Berkley's worth on last year's form was $1.9 million.

In a cover sheet provided this year by her husband, Dr. Larry Lehrner of Las Vegas, Berkley's net worth is estimated between $3.26 million and $5.13 million.

Lehrner, a kidney specialist, owns almost all the assets listed on Berkley's form. Income from the assets last year generated between $121,213 and $1.1 million in 2002.

Berkley, 52, and her husband took a trip to India In January 2002 that was paid for by the Confederation of Indian Industry, a group that promotes business development in India.

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., reported assets ranging from $1 million to $3 million. That's a decrease from the previous year when Ensign's high estimate approached $4 million.

Ensign, 45, continued to get payments between $250,001 and $500,000 from the sale of his Las Vegas veterinary practice. His largest asset remains the building and land for E&P Partnership in Las Vegas, with a value between $500,001 and $1 million.

Although he didn't list the amount, Ensign said he accepted an entrance fee to participate in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Golf Tournament in Monterey, Calif., in 2002. The fee was paid by Monterey Peninsula Foundation, a local charity.

The 2002 disclosure statements outline lawmakers' assets and income, debts, gifts, and travel at the expense of private or political groups. But because items are reported in broad ranges, it is impossible to determine members' exact worth. Certain items are also exempt from disclosure, including the value of primary homes and spouses' salaries.

The base salary for members of Congress is $154,700.

Comments

Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.

Sign in to comment