White Pine County Commissioner Gary Perea was forced to resign Wednesday following a ruling from the Nevada Gaming Commission that the two term commissioner could not serve as a county commissioner and hold a gaming license.
“It took them eight years to notice,” Perea said. “I have to resign and I have to suspend my campaign. My name will still be one the ballot but along with it will be a note that I must decline to serve.”
Perea owns the Border Inn in Baker Nevada. A small tourist hotel that also sports a tiny casino and bar.
One of the most active White Pine Commissioners Perea was one of a handful of reformers that brought the county out of bankruptcy eight years ago and back into solvency. He also led the fight against the Las Vegas water grab and several sources speculated that the sudden interest in his 20 or so slot machines was politically motivated by the Las Vegas dominated Gaming control Board.
