PVT FILE PHOTO Jim Petell has been charged with trying to cash in on a Saddle West jackpot that was already paid out. Advertisement

Jim Petell, candidate for District 2 county commissioner, has been charged with the felony offense of fraudulent acts for attempting to defraud the Saddle West Casino.

According to court documents, Petell attempted to claim a $1,000 Royal Flush Jackpot from the casino on March 11, 2007.

The complaint alleges the jackpot had already been paid two days before.

His arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 11 at 2 p.m.

William Hass, of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, filed the complaint.

In a phone call to the Pahrump Valley Times, Petell said he had no knowledge of the complaint and believes there is a mole in the district attorney's office.

He said he intended to pick up the complaint yesterday and question officials as to why he was not informed of it.

This will be the second time Petell will appear in Pahrump Justice Court in as many years.

He was convicted and fined for harassment Sept 14, 2007, after leveling a death threat against local resident Len Fern.

Petell spent five years as chairman of the Public Lands Advisory Board but was removed from his post by the Pahrump Town Board.

He also spent two years on the board of the Southern Nye County Conservation District.

Petell announced his candidacy for commissioner last year in May with a platform advocating easing tensions between the northern and southern parts of the district and a promise to be a "traveling commissioner."