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What is The Incline Village General Improvement District (“IVGID”) According to Us?

IVGID 101 Posted on by

Simply put, a criminal syndicate!

Please don’t discount our conclusion simply because it may be distasteful to admit. As former defense attorney Johnny Cochran in the celebrated O.J. Simpson murder trial told the jury, “if the glove doesn’t fit you must acquit.” And here if the facts fit the charge, the truth is inevitable.

IVGID has been the subject of significant controversy and criticism from its inception. Consider that:

Its emergency Ordinance Initiating Proceedings for the Organization of Incline Village General Improvement District (No. 95, Bill No. 56) was the product of a lie. Per section 7 of the ordinance,

“The Board of County Commissioners…f(ound) and declare(d)…an emergency (given)…there (wa)s a substantial shortage of improved lands along the shore of Lake Tahoe to meet the demands of the growing influx of people therein (and as a consequence)…it (wa)s necessary that the improvements (t)herein proposed be provided for the protection of the public health, safety and general welfare since the area is subject to heavy winter storms.”

Remember, the General Improvement District Law1 was only enacted on March 30, 19592. George Whittel deeded the lands which would become Incline Village on September 24, 1959. On June 1, 1960, those undeveloped lands were deeded to Crystal Bay Development Company. Washoe County Board emergency Ordinance (No. 95, Bill No. 56) became effective May 2, 1961. County Board initiating Ordinance (No. 97, Bill 57) became effective May 31, 1961. At the time there were few if any persons living in Incline Village. And in essence the only property owner and proposed taxpaying elector3 was the Crystal Bay Development Company.

IVGID’s initiating Ordinance (No. 97, Bill 57) was the product of a deceit. Although it recites that:

“Notice(s) of intention to establish said district were mailed…on the 4th day of May, 1961…to each of the taxpaying electors within said proposed District…(as well as) to all persons interested in any property within the District as shown in the records of the Crystal Bay Development Company, the principal owner and developer of the properties within the proposed District, and…

The percentage of…taxpaying electors who…filed written protests against the formation of the District was 0%,”

Given the only owner of property within the proposed district at the time and proponent of GID creation was Crystal Bay Development Company, who exactly existed to protest against formation of the District?

In her book Tahoe Illusions: Unraveling a Web of Fraud and Corruption, author J. Gumz

according to recent reports and investigations. It’s facing serious financial and operational challenges. The Nevada Department of Taxation’s (“NDOT’s“) Committee on Local Government Finance (“CLGF“) has appointed a subcommittee to examine IVGID’s financial irregularities to determine if it should be placed on “fiscal watch.”4 This decision comes after the District’s General Fund budget augmentation was denied in September 2024, and following the resignations of key staff members5. A forensic audit report released in July 2024 raised concerns about IVGID’s financial practices. The report identified several areas requiring immediate remediation6. There have been allegations of mismanagement and lack of transparency7. Additionally, there are concerns about the District’s handling of public records requests and financial documents8. With these matters firmly in mind, here we examine whether IVGID can be characterized as a criminal syndicate? We harken to the meme “if the shoe fits, wear it.”9 And here, the shoe appears to fit! So with that said,

Listen to the NRS 207.370 definition of criminal syndicate:

“Any combination of persons, so structured that the organization will continue its operation even if individual members enter or leave the organization, (and) which engages in or has the purpose of engaging in racketeering activity.”

What kind of activities represent “racketeering activities?” NRS 207.390 provides the answer:

“Engaging in at least two crimes related to racketeering (see below) that have the same or similar pattern, intents, results, accomplices, victims or methods of commission, or are otherwise interrelated by distinguishing characteristics and are not isolated incidents, if at least one of the incidents occurred after July 1, 1983, and the last of the incidents occurred within 5 years after a prior commission of a crime related to racketeering.”

What kind of crimes are “related to racketeering?” NRS 207.360 provides the answer:

“The commission of, attempt to commit or conspiracy to commit any of the following crimes10…

      8.  Robbery;

      9.  Taking property from another under circumstances not amounting to robbery;

      10.  Extortion…

      18.  Grand larceny…

      27.  Embezzlement of money…valued at $650 or more…

      28.  Obtaining…money…valued at $650 or more…by means of false pretenses;

      29.  Perjury or subornation of perjury;

      30.  Offering false evidence…

      32.  Insurance fraud pursuant to NRS 686A.291; (and…)

      35.  Any violation of NRS 205.377 (multiple transactions involving fraud or deceit in the course of an enterprise).”

Because the purpose of this discussion is not to demonstrate IVGID’s commission of any or all of the above-crimes related to racketeering, here we go no further other than to make the argument that under NRS 207.360 the District may have engaged in at least two of the crimes herein recited related to racketeering.

How Can Government Be a Criminal Syndicate? We offer two answers. The first is NRS 207.380. Given NRS 207.400 makes it unlawful:

“For a person…(c) who is employed by or associated with any enterprise to conduct or participate, directly or indirectly, in: (1) the affairs of the enterprise through racketeering activity; or (2) racketeering activity through the affairs of the enterprise (by)…

(d) Intentionally…organiz(ing), manag(ing), direct(ing), supervis(ing) or financ(ing) a criminal syndicate;

(e) Knowingly…incit(ing) or induc(ing) others to engage in violence or intimidation to promote or further the criminal objectives of the criminal syndicate;

(f)…Furnish(ing) advice, assistance or direction in the conduct, financing or management of the affairs of the criminal syndicate with the intent to promote or further the criminal objectives of the syndicate;

(g) Intentionally…promot(ing) or further(ing) the criminal objectives of a criminal syndicate by inducing the commission of an act or the omission of an act by a public officer or employee which violates his or her official duty;

(h)…Transport(ing or)…attempt(ing) to transport property or…provid(ing) property to another person knowing that the other person intends to use the property to further (a) racketeering activity…

(a) Who has with criminal intent received any proceeds derived, directly or indirectly, from racketeering activity to use or invest, whether directly or indirectly, any part of the proceeds, or the proceeds derived from the investment or use thereof, in the acquisition of: (1) any title to or any right, interest or equity in real property; or (2) any interest in or the establishment or operation of any enterprise;

(b) Through racketeering activity to acquire or maintain, directly or indirectly, any interest in or control of any enterprise;

(c) Who is employed by or associated with any enterprise to conduct or participate, directly or indirectly, in: (1) the affairs of the enterprise through racketeering activity; or (2) racketeering activity through the affairs of the enterprise; (and…)

(i) Who knows that property represents proceeds of, or is directly or indirectly derived from, any unlawful activity to conduct or attempt to conduct any transaction involving…property.”

NRS 207.380 defines “’enterprise’ to include…illicit as well as licit enterprises and governmental as well as other entities.”

The second is Bell, California. Listen to this description of the scandal which appears in Wikipedia:

“The Bell scandal involved the misappropriation of public funds in Bell, California…over a period of several years…In July 2010, the Los Angeles Times published an investigative article on possible malfeasance in the neighboring city of Maywood, revealing that the city officials of Bell received salaries that were reported as the highest in the nation. Subsequent investigations found atypically high property tax rates, allegations of voter fraud in municipal elections, and other irregularities which heightened the ensuing scandal. These and other reports led to widespread criticism and a demand for city officials to resign.

On August 10, 2010, Standard & Poor’s lowered Bell’s general obligation and pension bond ratings to BB, two notches below investment grade, and placed the ratings on a watchlist for potential further downgrade. S&P credit analyst Michael Taylor said: ‘We believe that the recent resignation of the city manager and finance director, and reports that the assets purchased with the unrated series 2007 lease-secured debt have decreased in value, have created uncertainty as to the city’s future actions.’

Eventually, seven Bell city officials…were convicted on graft and corruption charges, and were given sentences ranging from probation to twelve years in prison.”

Because the purpose of this discussion is not to demonstrate the similarities between what has taken place in Incline Village and Crystal Bay under the stewardship of IVGID, and the City of Bell, here we go no further other than to make the argument that under NRS 207.370, et seq., IVGID can be a criminal syndicate.

Conclusion: As you go through the many subjects addressed in this web site, always ask yourself; for whose real benefit does IVGID exist? Since Washoe County is the seat of IVGID’s governance, why the need for IVGID to furnish the same services?

at did IVGID have to do with creating our beautiful mountains? And the Lake? And the clean air? And the water? And why we need a competing seat of governance when we already have Washoe County? Have you ever thought about our community as the reverse of mythical Sherwood Forest? You know. A place where the special interests in our community can use our little GID under the guise of the mantra “it’s for the community,” to steal from the poor to feed themselves. A place where the masses11 are forced to financially subsidize their fat cat neighbor’s recreation. And those who yell the loudest unabashedly display disdain for the silent majority. And you’re embarrassed to call these people your neighbors. That’s “Income Village.”12

And now you know!

  1. See NRS 318.010.
  2. See page 427 of the 1959 Statutes of Nevada, Chapter 319, SB159.
  3. “‘Taxpaying elector’ means a person who is qualified to vote at general elections in this state, whether or not registered to vote or a resident in the district, and who, or whose spouse, is obligated as an owner or as a contract purchaser at a designated time or event to pay a general tax on real property within the district. Registration pursuant to the general election (or any other) statutes is not required. Residence in the county is not required” (see section 8 of the initial General Improvement District Law as restated today at NRS 543.188).
  4. Go to https://www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/nv-department-of-taxation-subcomittee-to-determine-if-ivgid-should-be-placed-on-fiscal-watch/.
  5. Go to https://www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/nv-department-of-taxation-subcomittee-to-determine-if-ivgid-should-be-placed-on-fiscal-watch/.
  6. Go to https://ourivcbvoice.com/ivgid-forensic-audit-report-released-what-property-owners-need-to-know/.
  7. Go to https://www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/local/incline-village-residents-general-improvement-district-board-too-secretive/.
  8. Go to https://thenevadaglobe.com/articles/the-globe-investigates-incline-village-general-improvement-district/.
  9. In other words, if something said or suggested…is true…person(s) should accept it as true” (go to https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/if%20the%20shoe%20fits#:~:text=idiom,should%20accept%20it%20as%20true).
  10. Although there are thirty-seven (37) listed crimes, many have no application to IVGID and this discussion. So with the reader’s permission, here we will list only the ones which are relevant to this discussion. And as the reader will see, we really only need to list two.
  11. IVGID reports there are approximately 8,200 local parcels in Incline Village/Crystal Bay.
  12. Incline Village’s nickname (see https://paradise-realestate.com/what-is-incline-village-nevada-all-about/).

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