Las Vegas NowI-Team Exclusive: Metro Investigates High-Profile Commander

I-Team Exclusive: Metro Investigates High-Profile Commander

Metro detectives are investigating one of their own bosses to find out if he's been using his badge to collect "freebies." The man at the center of the investigation is Metro Captain Stavros Anthony, who is also an elected university regent.

Captain Stavros Anthony is one of Metro's highest-profile commanders. He's been mentioned as a contender for sheriff someday, or maybe some other elected office. But those political hopes will be damaged if an Internal Affairs investigation now underway confirms the complaint filed with the Las Vegas Metro Police Department.

Law enforcement sources say an anonymous e-mail arrived last week, alleging that Captain Anthony used his police credentials to secure first class upgrades from airlines on numerous occasions. Anthony, a 27-year veteran of Metro, reportedly flashed his badge while traveling in order to coax airlines into giving him the much-more expensive seats.

The I-Team doesn't know how many incidents might be part of the investigation but investigators have found enough preliminary information to justify moving forward with their probe, according to law enforcement sources.

The central question is whether he was traveling on Metro business during these trips. Anthony has said he was. The complaint alleges it was personal travel, not business.

Anthony is not only a police captain but is also a member of the University of Nevada Board of Regents, an elected position. He has a doctorate in sociology from UNLV and is a published author. He told the I-Team he's never had a complaint or disciplinary action in his long Metro career until this one, but declined to say more until the probe is completed.

Tuesday afternoon, Sheriff Doug Gillespie confirmed to the I-Team that he authorized the Internal Affairs investigation to proceed, but he also declined to comment further until it's complete.

If the complaint is substantiated, it could amount to soliciting for special privileges, which could have serious consequences for the captain's career.

Email your comments to Chief Investigative Reporter George Knapp.