NV gov takes woman named in divorce papers to D.C.

LAS VEGAS -- Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons has acknowledged that a woman to whom he sent hundreds of text messages several years ago accompanied him on his recent trip to Washington, D.C., where he attended the National Governors Association conference over the weekend.

Gibbons, who was approached at the Reno airport by KLAS-TV late Monday after returning from the trip, originally said Kathy Karrasch, of Reno, was not in Washington while he attended the conference.

In video of the confrontation, Gibbons responded to a reporter's questions about the trip and his travel companions, saying, "What's it to you?"

The station reported Karrasch was also at the airport Monday night and left in a state-owned vehicle.

On Tuesday, the governor issued a statement to the station, saying Karrasch traveled with him to the nation's capital but the state did not pay for her expenses.

"I apologize for any ambiguity or confusion caused by my answers to your questioning of me late last night" the governor said Tuesday. "I had just finished three days of arduous meetings and a cross-country flight when I was suddenly confronted with your questions."

Gibbons told reporters he had paid for Karrasch's trip, keeping a promise he made to take her to the conference, according to the Las Vegas Sun. He said he and Karrasch live near each other and she was given a ride home as a courtesy.

Gibbons, who is divorcing first lady Dawn Gibbons, acknowledged in 2008 that he sent 867 text-messages to Karrasch over a six-week period the previous year. The governor reimbursed the state $130 for the text messages and issued a publicly apology. He denied the messages were "love notes."

The governor filed for divorce in May 2008, citing incompatibility with his wife. She accused him of having affairs with a former Playboy model and Karrasch - allegations the governor denied.

Karrasch also denied the accusation, calling it false and hurtful to her family.

"Kathy Karrasch has been a long time friend of mine and will continue to be a friend of mine," the governor said Tuesday.

Source : http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/24/AR2010022401496.html