Nye County Commissioner Peter Liakopoulos Friday entered a plea of not guilty to two felony charges of bribery and two misdemeanor charges for offering a reward for an appointment and grafting by a public officer.

Tom Pitaro, Liakopoulos' attorney, sent a fax requesting waiver of the arraignment scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday, which was granted by Pahrump Justice of the Peace Tina Brisebill.

Pitaro asked for a preliminary hearing before an out-of-town judge. A date has yet to be set for that hearing or a judge appointed.

Pahrump Justice Court Chief Clerk Alisa Peugh said defendants often enter a plea by fax or at the justice court office window instead of making a personal appearance in front of the judge. The preliminary hearing will be scheduled as soon as a visiting judge can be arranged, Peugh said.

Liakopoulos was arrested by Nye County sheriff's deputies Dec. 20 and released on his own recognizance. He is charged with offering to vote for a half-cent Nye County sales tax increase if the Pahrump town board would vote for his Pahrump Veterans Memorial project and appoint his wife as curator.

The investigation was turned over to the Nevada Attorney General's Office. On May 30, Conrad Hafen, Nevada chief deputy attorney general, announced the filing of the two felony bribery charges and the two misdemeanor charges.