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| Nathalia Henao and DJ Ashba enjoy free helicopter ride - Aug 7, 2013 |
A former Las Vegas Police Captain has been cleared by a state board after being demoted for arranging a free helicopter ride for Guns N’ Roses guitarist DJ Ashba and his girlfriend in 2013.
8 News Now Las Vegas reports The Employee Management Relations Board determined Metro Captain David O'Leary should not have been demoted to a lower rank and he should receive back pay to December 2013.
O’Leary took Ashba for a free “fly along” on the public dime as part of the guitarist’s marriage proposal to then girlfriend Nathalia Henao. Ashba's girlfriend said yes to the proposal after the helicopter landed in a field next to a table with roses and champagne.
The initial investigation determined O’Leary was guilty of violating department policy for the fly along because the process is supposed to begin and end at Air Support and does not include any off site landings, as occurred in this incident.
As a result of the investigation, Captain O’Leary was in the process of being demoted to the rank of lieutenant but retired in December 2013 before the discipline went into effect.
"Now that Dave and me have been cleared, and my wife, now it's time to speak. Now you know, 'cause I'm tired of being quiet," Ashba tells 8 News Now. "I felt horrible because it's supposed to be an amazing moment for us and somebody lost a job. A friend of us, like I was clueless and I couldn't believe it was happening."
Las Vegas Metro Police released a statement saying they disagree with the ruling and will be appealing the decision.
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