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Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun
Assemblyman Steven Brooks is seen on the third day of the 2011 legislative session Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011, in Carson City.
Published Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013 | 10:15 a.m.
Updated Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013 | 3:03 p.m.
Booking photo of Assemblyman Steven Brooks of North Las Vegas.
A Democratic assemblyman is in jail, arrested for threatening Democratic Speaker-elect Marilyn Kirkpatrick, according to North Las Vegas Police and Democratic sources familiar with the situation.
Assemblyman Steven Brooks, 40, of North Las Vegas made threats to harm a public official Saturday afternoon, police said in a news release Sunday morning. A source said he was arrested with a loaded gun after threatening to shoot Kirkpatrick.
Kirkpatrick and witnesses who corroborated the allegation prompted police to begin searching for Brooks. About 5:30 p.m., Brooks was seen driving in the area of Carey Avenue and Mt. Hood Street, where he was taken into custody without incident during a traffic stop.
Another Democratic source with knowledge of the situation said Brooks publicly threatened to harm Kirkpatrick because he was unhappy with the committee assignments given to him by Kirkpatrick. The 2013 Legislature begins Feb. 4.
Kirkpatrick was selected to lead the Assembly by the Democratic caucus, but she was expected to face divisions. Her caucus was split between her and Assemblyman William Horne, D-Las Vegas, after the presumed incoming speaker, Assemblyman Marcus Conklin, D-Las Vegas, lost his re-election bid. That threw the caucus into turmoil.
Brooks had told lobbyists and other lawmakers that he had expected to become chairman of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, a powerful committee that oversees changes to the governor’s proposed budget. Assemblywoman Maggie Carlton, D-Las Vegas, was selected for the position.
Brooks was booked into Las Vegas City Jail on one count of intimidating a public officer by threat of physical violence.
North Las Vegas Police, citing the ongoing investigation, would not release further details.
Brendan Summers, executive director of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, released a statement saying, “We understand an investigation is currently ongoing, and we have no further comment at this time.”
Democratic sources with knowledge of the caucus said that Brooks' behavior in caucus meetings had been "erratic" and leadership had begun documenting his behavior.
Brooks was first elected in 2010. He represents Assembly District 17.
Brooks had served as an assistant for Las Vegas City Councilman Ricki Barlow. He currently works as a management analyst with the city of Las Vegas for the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department. His gross wage for 2011, when he also served for four months in the Legislature, was $32,873, according to transparentnevada.com. His wages for 2012 won’t be available until Tuesday, Las Vegas officials said.
“As is the city's standard practice, we will treat this situation as a personnel matter, meaning the facts surrounding it will be thoroughly reviewed,” Las Vegas spokesman David Riggleman said. “Following that review, the city will take the appropriate action.”
Brooks in 2011 was drawn into a seat with Assemblyman Cresent Hardy, R-Mesquite, after the 2011 legislative session in lines determined by a bipartisan panel. Brooks moved into his current seat rather than face Hardy.
Brooks is 40 and has four children.
This aggression will not stand man. Seriously though, this guy needs some help.
And it hasn't even started yet! Nevada Politics, Ya gotta love it!
I know Democrats think they can get away with anything ... however, I think Biff just found the line in the sand!
He should be removed from office. This kind of behavior is completely unacceptable.
Comment removed by moderator. References post that was removed.
I'm guessing he'll fail the blood test!
The Dems are starting to lose it, first we had Tom Collins shooting a bush in the middle of the night because it made him mad,Harry Reid being ratted out by some Utah business man and now this. Good Grief!
Ya can t accuse this Nevada democrat of being anti 2nd Amendment. Selah......
Let's not forget the other stellar Dems that have represented Nevada!
Erin Kenny, Lance Malone, Dario Herrera, and Mary Kincaid-Chauncey.
I'm sure we have more, but I'm not into tackling another science project right now.
Falcons/49ers game is getting better!
This is probably a dirty trick by tbags or mean-spirited thugs in the media, talk radio or at the funny papers (RJ or Tribune). This story should not be reported and a complete embargo should be placed on the story to protect the fine image of the state of Nevada.
I can see that gossip monger Matt Drudge picking up on this story
HeHeHe ... M-red is a riot LOL!
What's the big deal?
Isn't this how political differences are settled in Syria, Afghanistan, Mexico and Las Vegas/North Las Vegas?
A Democrat with a gun?
Dems & politicians shouldn't be allowed to have guns w/o special dispensation & psych evals.
Yes John, Nevada Democrats are for the most part pro-2nd amendment.
I am also, but we need to make it a little bit harder to get these things... I can understand rural Nevada people needing guns for protection.
BRASS did you know that Hitler took guns away from one group of people because he didn't like them?
Well, looks like his being assigned any position now is pretty much DOA.
This close to the session, can this fellow be recalled? Or are the citizens of District 17 forced to have him as their rep in the Assembly?
The question is what pissed him off?
By johnevegas (John Palmer)
Jan. 20, 2013
4:08 p.m.
A Democrat with a gun?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
All the gang-bangers and illegals with guns are Democrates
It won't take Al Sharpton long to turn this injustice around and claim that Brooks is the victim of discrimination in denying him the appointment and the white woman, Kirkpatrick, had to have made some sort of racals comment or at least thought of such a comment. At the very least,a relative of Kirkpatrick must have made some sort of descriminating remark in the last 100-200 years so its obvious that Brooks is the victim here.
dude makes 32k and he is insanely upset about not getting a prominent position in the state legislature? I think i can fill in the blanks on that one. Think HARD about the possibility that he may have been planning to earn more than 32k this year.
All of you monkeys who are arguing the traditional mindless politiacl debate (democrat vs. republican / gun control, etc...) are missing the big picture here.
So much for getting along and working together.
It has begun.
Blacks will be push down for the Democrats have them in their pocket and don't need to do anything to get their vote.
Hispanics and women are the powerhouses in the Democratic party.
Blacks should get use this. They are heading to the back of the bus in the Democratic party.
The most information about Brooks is the statement,
"Democratic sources with knowledge of the caucus said that Brooks' behavior in caucus meetings had been "erratic" and leadership had begun documenting his behavior."
The key word is "documenting".
This tells much of who Mr. Brook is, and what he has been working under the leadership of Las Vegas Councilman Ricki Barlow.
Thomas Stafford, what does Hitler has to do with the American way of life? There is no comparison! Cut back of your coffee.
Who better for the Chair of the new Committee on Firearms and Mental Health?
What is it with all these progressives and their offspring's psychotic infatuations with guns, violence and intimidation?
Can we expect a PUBLIC APOLOGY and RESIGNATION or is he gonna drag this out....
Number 1 on Nevada's new NO-GUN possession list? Public statements to do violence 'cause he doesn't like something. Unacceptable.
Stay classy, North Las Vegas
Gee this kind of news might bring that new Toyota Plant to NLV?
The Prosecutor needs to follow thru on this case. First off, any guns he owns should be taken away and he should be forbidden from buying anymore. He needs to go to jail for a good long time. He should have no bail at this time and the Legislature should get rid of him quickly so that district 17 can have a quick election or have the Governor appoint someone that lives in that district.
And of course he works for the city....I'm shocked, shocked to learn that.
If he doesn't lose that City job, something is wrong. Guess we'll have to check the City phone directory in 3 months. Might sounds like a severe penalty but I don't think so. It is just UNACCEPTABLE to threaten physical violence--since there were multiple witnesses, I don't think there is much assuming here.