KINGMAN – The Las Vegas businessmen fighting for control of the City of Kingman’s private sector partner on the Interstate 40 Rancho Santa Fe Traffic Interchange (TI) project are preparing to hunker down for more than one week before a professional referee.
Both Bill Lenhart and Bill Plise claim the right to lead KDP Manager, an entity married to the city through a 70-page development agreement for the TI endeavor. Lenhart began the enterprise as Sunbelt Development but it morphed into KDP Manager when Plise came aboard several years ago.
The business beef leaves the City of Kingman in a quandary regarding the human capital configuration of its fractured TI teammate. Litigation between the battling Bills was supposed to be the focus of arbitration last Dec. before initial postponement.
Denyce Tuller, who serves as a spokeswoman for Plise through B&P Public Relations, said parties subsequently expected to appear before arbitrator Bryce Kunimoto in Las Vegas on April 1. She said, however, that the proceeding that could take up to 10 days to complete is now scheduled to start on April 9.
“We are unable to discuss what is transpiring with arbitration,” said Lenhart attorney Stephen Mufarreh. “Any issues or delays are not due to Mr. Lenhart.”
The Kingman City Council asked Lenhart and Plise to clarify their status during a March 11 special meeting. Lenhart attended, Plise did not, but both were represented by legal counsel.
Lenhart’s lawyer Tom Devore said Plise did not live up to his end of his agreement with Lenhart, contending Plise was encumbered by past bankruptcies and inability to raise capital as promised.
Plise’s attorney Jeff Barr countered that KDP Manager had to shed Lenhart and his illegal Kingman campaign contribution conviction baggage.
Vice Mayor Cherish Sammeli expressed hope that the Lenhart-Plise dispute gets resolved so the city’s business partner is better defined. She said council expects an update in June.
Dave Hawkins
