Brooks Compton, who is making ethics an issue in his bid to unseat County Commissioner Paul Christensen, was involved in a badges-for-cash scheme that brought down former Las Vegas Constable Don Charleboix.

Compton bought a deputy constable commission from the constable for $300 -- then turned it in and got immunity in exchange for testimony that helped indict Charleboix on misconduct and bribery charges.

Testifying before a grand jury then, Compton gave this reason for buying the badge: "Cops don't give cops tickets. Status symbol. I could carry my pistol."

Today, the 31-year-old Compton chalks it up to a youthful mistake.

"I was just a young guy that thought having a badge was neat," Compton said over the weekend. "I was a young man, mistakes were made. When I realized what was going on, I immediately informed the appropriate authorities."

Full story: https://lasvegassun.com/news/1996/jun/17/compton-admits-badge-mistake/