An investigator for the state attorney general's office said that if Las Vegas City Councilman Michael McDonald's business is conducting security-type consulting services, it would have to halt operations until the proper licenses are obtained.
William Bertram, an investigator in the attorney general's office, will meet with McDonald next week to determine exactly what type of business Alpha-Omega Strategies Inc. conducts.
"It's not clear from his response exactly what he is doing," Bertram said, referring to a Sun article in which McDonald described his firm.
Alpha-Omega Strategies, which received a city business license in August, is classified as a marketing/consulting firm.
Bertram wrote McDonald a letter on Nov. 23 informing McDonald that neither he nor his business is licensed to perform any type of private investigatory or security consulting.
State law requires licenses for private investigators and security consultants.
After the Sun article ran, ex-City Councilman Steve Miller wrote to the Private Investigator's Licensing Board, asking it to investigate. Miller has lost two elections to McDonald and is the councilman's most dogged critic.
Bertram picked up the case and will talk to McDonald in Las Vegas next week.
"It's still an open question," Bertram said.
McDonald could not be reached for comment. Last month he told the Sun his business has had eight clients, and is currently working on two cases.
McDonald described his work as consulting, and said he offered advice and referrals to attorneys or private investigators when needed.
"You are therefore being advised by this letter, if you are advertising or providing any investigative or security consulting services in Nevada, you must cease and desist from any further such activity until proper licensing is obtained," Bertram wrote to McDonald.
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