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LAS VEGAS --Nye County Commissioner Peter Liakopoulos was exonerated of any violations of state law by the Nevada Ethics Commission, during a hearing Wednesday.

"I came out of this completely unscathed," Liakopoulos said following the 6-1 vote. "Unfortunately a lot of time was spent on this issue. It was a frivolous complaint that was politically motivated."

The complaint was received April 12 from Steve Johnson, a business partner with former county commission candidate and Liakopoulos opponent Dan Schinhofen in a new publication, "Spotlight on Pahrump."

The allegations about Liakopoulos revolve around two votes seen as favoring his business associates, KPVM-TV, Channel 41, on which he produces five programs, and a doctor advertising on one of the TV shows.

Liakopoulos voted Feb. 21 to allow county-owned Pahrump Medical Center, operated by Dr. Pejman Bady, one of the sponsors of his Medicine in Pahrump program, to cut back hours of operation.

Liakopoulos disclosed his relationship before the commission vote, noting Dr. Bady and several other physicians partake in his medical show.

Liakopoulos said reducing the PMC hours of operation was a benefit to Desert View Regional Medical Center, which isn't part of his TV program.

"This vote was taken to help generate more business for the hospital since there are a low number of patients using the hospital during PMC's operating hours," Liakopoulos responded.

Liakopoulos made the motion to approve the amended hours of operation, it passed by a 4-1 vote. A previous request to cut back the hours was denied by Nye County Commissioners in June 2006, before Liakopoulos won election to the board.

The ethics commission sent further questions to Liakopoulos May 4. The inquiry found his production company, under his name, produces five TV shows and has 11 TV advertising clients. He pays a rate of $75 per hour to the TV station.

Professional Staffing Network of Nevada handles marketing, staffing and other professional services for doctors and hospitals. Dr. Bady uses that service, which includes placing advertisements aired on Liakopoulos's TV shows.

The commission ruled in May evidence didn't exist to hold a hearing and render an opinion on allegations Liakopoulos violated Nevada Revised Statute 281.481(1).

That statute states a public officer shall not seek or accept any gift, service, favor, employment, or economic opportunity which would improperly influence a reasonable person in their position from the faithful and impartial discharge of public duties.

The second part of that statute states a public officer shall not use their position in government to secure unwarranted privileges, preferences or advantages for himself or any business entity in which he has a significant pecuniary interest.

The ethics commission last month conceded Bady had a business relationship with Liakopoulos but added, "there is no evidence of a violation of public trust by his taking an official action in exchange for a personal benefit."

"The vote to change the medical center hours of operation was 4-1 and appeared to be a benefit to the community as evidenced in the letter of support from the chief executive officer of the new hospital."

The agenda item amending the lease preceded any business relationship with Liakopoulos, the ethics commission had stated. The ruling added all commissioners were lobbied to support amending the lease by PMC representatives.

A previously confidential, closed door ethics commission hearing in May recommended a hearing on whether Liakopoulos could've given better disclosure of his business interest on the chip-sealing of Higley Road.

The Wednesday hearing absolved him of that complaint as well, Liakopolous said. The sole dissenting ethics commissioner, the chairman, Jim Kosinski, said Liakopoulos's disclosure on his conflict of interest "should've been held to a golden standard."

The ethics commission itself had a disclosure to make.

"One of the (ethics) commissioners knows me so he made a disclosure," Liakopoulos said, referring to attorney Bill Flangis, who attends his same church.

The chip-sealing matter stems from Liakopoulos's vote less than a month later, on March 20. Liakopoulos voted to accept an offer from KPVM to dedicate roadway to Nye County, conditioned upon the county chip-sealing the road to the station.

The county commission discussion revolved around the concern for public safety, since Channel 41 is a communications center.

Under the 2007 program Nye County chip-sealed within 600 feet of the TV station. Liakopoulos disclosed before that commission vote he purchased time on Channel 41. Liakopoulos told commissioners he felt the road work was long overdue. The commission passed the motion unanimously.