Michael Schneider
Encyclopedia
Michael A. Schneider is a Democratic
member of the Nevada Senate
, representing Clark County District 11 (map) since 1996. Previously he was a member of the Nevada Assembly
from 1992 through 1995.
opponent Danny Tarkanian
, son of college basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian
, for defamation. During the campaign, Schneider accused Tarkanian of setting up telemarketing companies that were later found to be running scams that victimized the senior citizens and that he turned "state's evidence" against the telemarketers to avoid being prosecuted. Tarkanian practiced civil law until 1995 and admitted he helped set up the companies, but had no involvement in the day-to-day operations of any of them was not aware that any of the companies were already engaged in illegal activity at the time that he helped to set up them. The case went to trial on July 27, 2009. Schneider stood by statements he made in a 2004 debate with Tarkanian and in campaign ads and fliers accusing him of criminal activity. Former assistant U.S. Attorney
Leif Reid, son of Nevada U.S. Senator
Harry Reid
, testified that Tarkanian was not part of the investigation into the companies. On July 31, a Clark County
District Court jury ruled in Tarkanian's favor and awarded him $50,000 in damages. On August 3, Schneider agreed to pay a $150,000 settlement in the case.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the Nevada Senate
Nevada Senate
The Nevada Senate is the upper house of the Nevada Legislature, the state legislature of U.S. state of Nevada. The Senate consists of 21 members from 19 districts, two of which are multimember. Each senator represented approximately 94,700 people as of the 2000 census, although 2006 Census Bureau...
, representing Clark County District 11 (map) since 1996. Previously he was a member of the Nevada Assembly
Nevada Assembly
The Nevada Assembly is the lower house of the Nevada Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Nevada. The body consists of 42 members, elected to two-year terms from single-member districts. Each Assembly district contained approximately 47,400 people as of the 2000 census, although...
from 1992 through 1995.
Libel suit
In 2005, Schneider was sued by his 2004 RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
opponent Danny Tarkanian
Danny Tarkanian
Daniel John "Danny" Tarkanian is an American real estate and small business owner. In 2004, Tarkanian ran for the Nevada Senate and lost the general election. In 2006, he won the Republican nomination for Nevada Secretary of State, but lost in the general election. In 2010 he was a Republican...
, son of college basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian
Jerry Tarkanian
Jerry Tarkanian , also known as "Tark the Shark", is a retired college basketball coach known as one of the winningest coaches in college basketball history...
, for defamation. During the campaign, Schneider accused Tarkanian of setting up telemarketing companies that were later found to be running scams that victimized the senior citizens and that he turned "state's evidence" against the telemarketers to avoid being prosecuted. Tarkanian practiced civil law until 1995 and admitted he helped set up the companies, but had no involvement in the day-to-day operations of any of them was not aware that any of the companies were already engaged in illegal activity at the time that he helped to set up them. The case went to trial on July 27, 2009. Schneider stood by statements he made in a 2004 debate with Tarkanian and in campaign ads and fliers accusing him of criminal activity. Former assistant U.S. Attorney
United States Attorney
United States Attorneys represent the United States federal government in United States district court and United States court of appeals. There are 93 U.S. Attorneys stationed throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands...
Leif Reid, son of Nevada U.S. Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Harry Reid
Harry Reid
Harry Mason Reid is the senior United States Senator from Nevada, serving since 1987. A member of the Democratic Party, he has been the Senate Majority Leader since January 2007, having previously served as Minority Leader and Minority and Majority Whip.Previously, Reid was a member of the U.S...
, testified that Tarkanian was not part of the investigation into the companies. On July 31, a Clark County
Clark County, Nevada
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,375,765 people, 512,253 households, and 339,693 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 71.6% White , 9.1% Black, 5.7% Asian, 0.8% American Indian and 12.8% of other or mixed race. 22.0% were Hispanic of any race...
District Court jury ruled in Tarkanian's favor and awarded him $50,000 in damages. On August 3, Schneider agreed to pay a $150,000 settlement in the case.
External links
- Nevada State Legislature - Senator Michael (Mike) A. Schneider official government website
- Project Vote Smart - Senator Michael A. 'Mike' Schneider (NV) profile
- Follow the Money - Michael Schneider