Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval has weighed in on the dispute between the state's attorney general, Adam Laxalt, and Nevada Gaming Control Board Chair AG Burnett.
In a statement provided to the Nevada Independent, Sandoval said claims made against Burnett were "empty" and that he would "vigorously defend" the state's gaming regulators.
Sandoval also described Burnett as "fair-minded" and "independent," and said accusations against Burnett's character were "groundless."
The statement comes after Burnett said in an affidavit that Laxalt asked him to intercede in a lawsuit involving Las Vegas Sands.
After the affidavit was made public, Senate Minority Leader Michael Roberson of Las Vegas accused Burnett of colluding with Democrats in the legislature to try and bring down Laxalt ahead of a potential run for governor next year.
The Democratic Caucus has already voiced its support for Burnett in this affair, and has introduced a bill in response to allow the Gaming Control Board to seek its own legal counsel instead of relying on the attorney general's office.
