As a probe expanded into the sudden death of impeached state Controller Kathy Augustine, her husband (Chaz Higgs) tried to commit suicide on Friday in their Las Vegas home.
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Higgs had said campaign stress was to blame for his wife's heart attack. She faced fundraising difficulties and opposition from within her own party in her bid this year for state treasurer. Because of term limits, she couldn't seek a third four-year term as controller.
Augustine's marriage to Higgs, in 2003, was her third. They were married about a month after her second husband, Charles, died of complications following a stroke at age 63. Higgs was a nurse at the hospital where Charles Augustine died.
Allegations of official misconduct against Augustine arose later in 2003. She wound up being impeached by the Assembly for using state equipment for her 2002 campaign, and was censured but not removed from office by the state Senate. She also was fined $15,000 by the state Ethics Commission.
http://www.tahoebonanza.com/article/20060719/Nevada/107190011