After the session ended on June 2, Governor Lombardo had 10 days to either sign, veto or let the bill become law without his signature.
At the last deadline there were 34 bills still moving through the process, eight of them passed.
AB 73 relating to Artificial Intelligence, requiring certain communications relating to elections, to disclose if it contains synthetic media. Effective 1/1/2026.
AB92 requires that rooms or spaces in public buildings be provided to certain political parties without charge. Effective 7/1/2025.
AB148 relating to election deadlines for a county or city clerk to distribute sample ballots. Effective 10/1/2025.
AB176 relating to health care that prohibits a government entity from substantially burdening certain activity relating to reproductive health care under certain circumstances. Effective 1/1/2026.
AB197 relating to governmental administration with certain exceptions to keep personal information regarding donors, members, or volunteers of nonprofit organizations private. Effective 7/1/20/27.
AB235 relating to health care providers who practice reproductive health and employees or volunteer for the facility, and providers for gender affirming care, spouse, domestic partner or minor child that request that certain personal information in the possession of a county recorder, county assessor or elections official be kept in a confidential manner. Effective 7/1/2025.
AB343 relating to health care requiring hospitals to publish certain information relating to the pricing of goods and services. Effective 1/1/2026.
SB443 relating to elections revising provisions to voter registration during certain periods preceding an election. Effective 10/1/2025.
Governor Lombardo broke his 2023 record by vetoing 87 bills, some of which were really good bills. I have listed some.
Source is the Las Vegas Review Journal:
SB217 which would have established a statutory right to in vitro fertilization and expanded it to Medicaid for coverage for infertility diagnosis and treatment. Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro “Even Donald Trump has backed efforts to expand IVF, but Lombardo is picking out-of-state extremists over protecting Nevada doctors and patients,” Cannizzaro, D-Las Vegas, said in a statement. “By vetoing this bipartisan bill, Lombardo has turned his back on ordinary Nevada families who need a little help to overcome the hardships of infertility in order to experience the joy of parenthood.” (quoted from press release).
SB428 would require incumbents to live in the district they represent during their entire term. This passed on a party-line vote in favor of Democrats in the Senate and unanimously in the Assembly. But Lombardo said in his veto message he believed the bill did not protect candidates’ privacy because residential addresses could be considered part of the public record.
AB499 which would have expanded access to ballot drop boxes and implemented voter ID requirements. The bill was the result of a compromise between Yeager and the governor, who has long supported voter ID. Yeager sought to match the language in the ballot question to implement voter ID, which passed in 2024 but needs to be approved by voters in 2026.
In his veto message, the governor said that he wholeheartedly supports voter ID, but he said the bill is not entirely consistent with the language in the ballot question. He said it fails to resolve inconsistencies in how voter ID is reviewed, does little to improve signature verification and leaves too much ambiguity for future interpretation. He also expressed concerns about increased access to ballot drop boxes.
He specifically took issue with the proposed mail ballot ID verification and argued it would apply voter ID requirements unequally between in-person and mail ballot voters, saying that mail ballots would continue to be accepted solely on the basis of a signature match. Their identifying information written on the return envelope is only checked if the signature needs to be verified, while in-person voters must show ID every time.
“This inconsistency undermines the principle of uniform voter verification,” he wrote. “Voter ID is essential for ensuring election integrity, and it should be applied consistently across all voting methods.
AB416 which would have prohibited school boards or other leadership from banning or removing material that they may find “objectionable” — “fundamentally flawed” in his veto message on Thursday. Community members seeking to have materials removed would need to petition a court to do so, according to the bill sponsored by Assemblymember Brittney Miller, D-Las Vegas.
“Decisions about what library materials are appropriate for students should be made locally — by educators and families who understand the unique needs of their communities — not by judges through a rigid, one-size-fits-all legal process,” he wrote.
SB156 sponsored by state Sen. Edgar Flores, would have required the attorney general to appoint a special counsel for the Prevention of Gun Violence, authorizing the counsel to administer a grant program for gun violence prevention initiatives, to collaborate with professors and researchers in developing data relating to gun violence, and to put together educational campaigns relating to firearm safety and suicide prevention.
The bill passed the Assembly 25-14 and the Senate 11-8.
AB223 sponsored by Assemblymember Venicia Considine and other Democrats, would have authorized a tenant to file a complaint for relief if their landlord fails to maintain a rental unit in habitable condition, such as if the unit lacks proper measures to control rodents and insects, or if it lacks doors and windows in good repair.
The bill passed down party lines in both houses.
Lombardo said the bill disrupts a “well-established balance” in Nevada law that provides adequate tenant protections while ensuring landlords maintain safe and quality housing. He criticized a provision of the bill that would require landlords to remedy issues within 48 hours after receiving notice, calling it an “onerous requirement.” He also said that a tenant’s own negligence may cause their apartment to become uninhabitable.
Nevada State Democratic Party spokesperson Tai Sims:
SB414 would have required elected officials to disclose their financial investments, including stocks, that could create conflicts of interests. After Lombardo vetoed a similar bill last session that passed with bipartisan support, he was asked if he would use dark money in order to win elections and he replied, “I’m going to use everything available to ensure success.” Once it was revealed that Lombardo registered his inaugural committee as a dark money group, Republicans in the Nevada State Senate unanimously voted against SB414 — after it received bipartisan support last session.
SB89 prohibits individuals who have been convicted within the past 10 years of certain offenses, such as hate crimes or violent crimes motivated by characteristics like race, religion, or sexual orientation, from purchasing, owning, or possessing firearms. It also specifies that each firearm purchased by such a person is a separate violation. Additionally, the bill allows individuals convicted of these offenses before July 1, 2025, to retain firearms they legally owned prior to that date.
AB205 This bill changes the consent process for sexuality education in public schools from an opt-in to an opt-out system, requiring school districts to provide a form allowing parents or guardians to refuse their child’s participation. It also sets deadlines for providing the form and allows it to be posted on the district’s secure website, with a notice that parents may opt out at any time during the school year
Passed Bills
Source is Nevada Independent Veto Tracker
SB404 which passed both the Senate and Assembly unanimously.The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by state Sen. Melanie Scheible, a Las Vegas Democrat, crafted the proposal in response to a Review-Journal investigation which found that Nevada law placed few restrictions on who manages a probate case when an individual dies without a will. State law, in fact, allows anyone “legally qualified” to step up.
This created a lucrative market for third-party interests — real estate investors, private administrators and attorneys — to profit from the process while relatives received a pittance, if anything.
The investigation revealed that these agents “often started cases without family involvement and routinely obtained court authority to sell homes through a process that does not require a judge’s approval of the deal or a competitive bidding that could boost the price.” They also “frequently sold homes at steep discounts to estimated values, often to the same circle of repeat buyers who resold them within months” at prices well above the cost of the original purchase. “The probate cases,” the report revealed, “often ended with nothing for heirs.”
The law was intended to allow for the timely and orderly disposition of an estate when relatives didn’t exist, couldn’t be found or didn’t want the bother. But fairness dictates that every effort should be made to ensure family members have the opportunity to take part in the task if they so desire. This bill imposes safeguards to assure that third-party administrators don’t abuse the state’s liberal probate statutes. The reforms demand that those seeking to be deemed “legally qualified” now provide a court with evidence to that effect, along with affidavits indicating their efforts to locate any potential heirs. It also limits who can become an “independent administrator,” and thus able to sell the deceased’s home without a judge’s approval or open bidding.
AB540 is one of the Governor’s 5 priority bills. The Nevada Attainable Housing Act focuses on housing access and attainability. It creates an account in the state general fund which will be administered by the Housing Division. This account will provide loans and other financial assistance for attainable housing projects.
The bill establishes the attainable Housing Council to oversee and guide the administration and allocation of funds from the Attainable Housing Account. The funding and initiatives allocates funds that were originally $200 million which was amended to $150 million but finally appropriated to $133 million to the account. Also amended out of the bill was the prevailing wage clause.
AB121 Landlords will no longer be able to charge a tenant a fee to make a payment through an online portal or website which prohibits junk fees from corporate landlords when paying rent.
AB111 makes wrong-way driving on a divided highway a misdemeanor rather than a civil infraction aiming to curb the large number of roadway fatalities that occur every year.
SB460 this bill is a combined bill from Lombardo education bill into Senator Cannizzaro bill.
It revises provisions governing the annual report of accountability for a school district. Revises the duties of the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education, impanels a Public Education Oversight Board. It establishes boards of trustees of certain school districts as well as measures for the designation of focus and priority school districts, sponsors of charter schools and public schools, and much more.
All in all out of 605 bills that made it to the governor’s desk, he passed 518 bills. If you would like to read any of the bills but don’t know how, I would be glad to help you out. Contact me at [email protected].
Trump’s attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities is part of his Economic strategy to make the rich richer at the cost of lives and economic sustainability for everyone else.
After Netanyahu dog-walked Trump into illegally dropping bombs on Iran’s nuclear facilities, we must dismiss his allegations of a total distribution of Iran’s atomic ability; he has delayed but accelerated their ability to make at least low-yield nuclear weapons.
While it is unlikely, but possible, that Trump has committed us to a full-out nuclear or conventional war, what he has essentially done is strengthen Russia and China’s ties to join with Iraq in taking economic actions against the US, in addition to supporting their proxies (primarily Shiite militants) in terrorist activities both abroad and on US soil, thus creating a need for more military-industrial complex spending.
Fighting terrorism is an economic gain for the military-industrial complex, and Trump spent over $22 billion on conflicts in the Middle East over the past year, including military aid to Israel and American operations in the region.
However, other Presidents have also contributed to the total cost of the US global war on terror, which stands at $8 trillion in taxpayer funding and 900,000 deaths.
Regardless, Trump’s 2026 federal budget proposes cuts to domestic programs and a 13% increase in military spending, including $127 billion for a virtually useless missile defense system (Golden Dome).
Both Israel and Iran have a range of missiles capable of reaching each other. However, the US stands uniquely apart from such a threat, unless, of course, Mexico and Canada perceive Trump as a military threat.
Even if such a threat exists, at best, a multi-layered missile defense system would have a 50% interception success rate, which could cost anywhere from $430 billion to $5.3 trillion, prompting experts to question whether the system is worth the cost.
And because of Trump’s antagonism and meritless Tariff actions against Western Allies, it is highly questionable whether NATO, under Article 5, would aid the US in combating terrorism, essentially arguing that the Article only applies to an armed attack, leaving the US to bear the problem alone.
All in all, US citizens can now look forward to massive defense spending, a lower gross national product, and higher death tolls for military members and citizens alike.
“The water of all sources of water supply within the boundaries of the State, whether above or beneath the surface of the ground, belongs to the public.” Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 533.025
On June 3, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo signed into law Nevada Assembly Bill 104 (AB 104), which strengthens the authority of the Nevada Water Engineer to address groundwater over-appropriations.
The bipartisan-supported legislation provides current Nevada Water Engineer Adam Sullivan with additional regulatory power to address the issue.
There is nothing new about the demand-appropriation problem. On January 30, 2018, during a Nevada Water Law Summit, then-Nevada Water Engineer Jason King referred to over-appropriations. He said, “Most (Basins) was already over-appropriated before establishing the perennial yield.” He noted, “Popular thinking suggested that not all rights would be put to their maximum beneficial use, so it was acceptable to over‐appropriate.”
Then, on June 29, 2018, King told the Legislative Committee on Public Lands that: “The goal is not to allow the consumptive use of Groundwater rights and domestic wells; to exceed the basin’s perennial yield.”
However, in 2020, Tim Wilson (replaced by Sullivan), who replaced King, stated that the Nevada Water Law does not mandate calculating the perennial yield for water rights administration.
To illustrate the issue, consider Mesquite, Nevada, which has a groundwater perennial yield of 3,600 acre-feet annually from its Basin (222).
In 1990, Mesquite had a population of 1,960 and an annual groundwater use rate of 811 acre-feet per year. The population reached 24,232 in 2024, with an anticipated growth rate of 3.08%. In 2020, the groundwater use rate was 7,137 acre-feet annually, nearly twice (1.98) the perennial yield.
Nevertheless, on September 18, 2012, King informed the Virgin Valley Water District Board members —Karl Gustaveson, Ted Miller, Sandra Ramaker, Kenyon Leavitt, and Richard Bowler — that the Water Engineers had permitted [over permitted]12,000 acre-feet per year (AFY) for underground use by the Water District from Basin 222.
During the same meeting, Mike Moran from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Henderson, NV, suggested a water budget that would account for all surface and Groundwater for $972,544, with the cost split between the USGS and the water district, starting in 2014 over five years. The effort never materialized.
Then, on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, Micheline Fairbank, the former Deputy Director of Nevada’s Division of Water Resources, appeared before Mesquite Mayor Allan S. Litman, Council members Wes Boger, Karen Dutkowski (Called In), George Gault, Sandra Ramaker, and Brian Wursten.
She told the Council that Nevada water law (NRS 533.024) requires the State Water Engineer to prepare a “water budget” for Groundwater and must manage water resources “conjunctively” with all sources of surface water.
Ms. Fairbank also informed the Council that 2019 legislation, SB150, requires county or city governments to develop an all-source water resource plan. She also addressed the issue of conjunctive (all-source) studies.
She said that historically, the Division of Water Resources managed surface and underground Water separately. Nonetheless, she confirmed that the Water Engineer was required to prepare a “water budget” and manage water resources conjunctively. She acknowledged that the Water Engineer did have a conjunctive water model but lacked the financial resources to implement it locally.
As with the USGS water budget proposal, this effort likewise never received funding from either the City Council or the Water Board.
The 2025 legislation, if enforced: • Requires the State Engineer to retire certain groundwater rights: This means the State Engineer can permanently remove some water rights from use, especially in over-appropriated basins. • Revises provisions relating to temporary permits for Groundwater: AB 104 updates the process for issuing or managing temporary groundwater permits, likely tightening rules to prevent further overuse. • Creates the Nevada Conservation and Recreation Program: This new initiative provides grants to state agencies and local governments to protect natural resources, including Water and wildlife. • Creates the Account for Retiring Water Rights: This is a dedicated fund for purchasing and retiring water rights from willing sellers. It’s part of a broader effort to reduce groundwater withdrawals and stabilize aquifers. • Establishes the Nevada Voluntary Water Rights Retirement Program: This program enables water rights holders to sell their publicly owned but appropriated rights to the state.
The bill also includes provisions to prevent the reappropriation of retired water rights, thereby securing long-term water sustainability.
Retiring overappropriated water rights is ambitious at best and impossible to enforce in areas such as Mesquite, where demand continually exceeds the Basin’s perennial groundwater yield.
Without an objective, all-source water budget from the USGS, along with a plan to reduce demand from excessive growth to water budgeted levels, the economic future of Mesquite remains questionable.
Legislation Will Expand Local Control, Diversify Economy & Increase Economic Growth in North Las Vegas
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) released the following statement today as the U.S. Senate passed legislation he previously passed unanimously out of the House of Representatives: The Apex Area Technical Corrections Act.
Rep. Horsford authored the legislation to allow Clark County to acquire certain federal land (referred to as the Apex Site). The legislation now moves to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
“I’m thrilled to see the U.S. Senate advance legislation that is critical for my constituents and community in North Las Vegas,” Rep. Horsford said. “This vote will help solidify our community’s autonomy in making critical investments without unnecessary hurdles from Washington. Local control of the Apex Site means more jobs, more industries, and more economic growth for our community.”
Under Rep. Horsford’s legislation, the City of North Las Vegas would no longer need approval from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to further develop existing electric power, water, natural gas, telephone, railroad, and highway facilities on the Apex Site.
More information about Rep. Horsford’s Apex Area Technical Corrections Act is available here.
Video of Rep. Horsford speaking on the Apex Area Technical Corrections Act is available here.
It has happened in numerous countries throughout history. Governments, even democratic ones, evolving into autocratic rule with a strong-man executive, a rubber-stamp legislature, a compliant judiciary, and a cowed populace. In today’s world, we could be describing North Korea, Russia, China, Iran, Hungary, and some other countries. But the question is “How close is the United States to becoming one of these autocracies?”
Thom Hartman provides a thoughtful analysis in the following article:
On June 11th, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) joined a spotlight forum entitled “Cruel and Unamerican: The Abuse of Immigrants to Attack our Constitutional Order” to condemn President Trump’s inhumane, theatrical immigration enforcement in Los Angeles, including his unprecedented move to federalize the California National Guard and mobilize hundreds of members of the U.S. Marine Corps. He warned that Trump’s actions in California are a “test case” for using the National Guard or Marines to attack immigrants’ rights in communities across the country.
Padilla made clear that the blame for the unrest in Los Angeles falls squarely on President Trump. He blasted the President for using the same playbook when the headlines turn against him: scapegoat immigrants and manufacture a crisis. He outlined that Trump sought to sow chaos across Los Angeles to distract from his struggling political agenda, including Republicans’ billionaire-first tax bill that would gut health care and nutrition services that millions of Americans depend on in order to give tax breaks to the wealthy.
Padilla also urged Californians to continue peacefully protesting the Trump Administration’s unprecedented overreach and strongly condemned violence in all its forms, including the small set of bad actors engaging in violent behavior or vandalism.
Padilla said, “Proud to have been born and raised in Los Angeles, and I can tell you that Angelenos have a long history of speaking up for ourselves — for our communities and for the vulnerable in our community. We’ve seen that tradition continue this past week as Angelenos have spoken up against the extreme actions of the Trump Administration. And yes, while a small number of bad actors have sought to exploit the peaceful protests and have engaged in violence or vandalism, the overwhelming majority of activity has been peaceful and protected by the First Amendment.
“Donald Trump created this chaos. He inflamed this violence. And he did it intentionally. He sent federal agents in to terrorize communities, and then turned around and blamed state and local leaders for the very chaos that he unleashed.
“By last Friday, Trump was drowning in negative headlines. And so just as he’s done throughout the years, when all else fails, when everything is going bad, he turns to the same tired playbook: Attack immigrants. Blame immigrants. And manufacture a crisis to try to change the news cycle.”
Padilla criticized Trump for his severe escalation of the conflict, deploying the National Guard without the Governor’s consent or request for the first time since 1965. Since then, Trump has arrested Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California President David Huerta for peacefully protesting, threatened to arrest Governor Newsom, and mobilized approximately 700 Marines to Los Angeles without a clear mission or justification. Padilla warned of the dangerous precedent Trump’s actions set, not just for California but for the entire nation.
Padilla continued, “This is dangerous territory. Servicewomen and men are trained to fight wars overseas not to police communities here in the United States. But that’s exactly what Donald Trump wants. He wants to create theatrics. He wants a viral clip of a protest turned chaotic so he can justify his crackdown on immigrants and distract from his own failures. He’s testing the boundaries of his power.
“And my message to the country today is this: What’s happening in California is not just a threat to California, it’s not just a threat to immigrant communities. It’s a threat to everybody. Because an attack on anyone’s rights is an attack on everyone’s rights.
“And no matter where you live or what’s your background, don’t think that anybody is insulated from Trump’s actions. If Donald Trump can bypass the Governor of California to activate the National Guard and suppress immigrant rights, he’ll do whatever he wants to suppress other rights, too. And if he can deploy Marines to Los Angeles, he can deploy them to any city in America.”
Padilla concluded his remarks by promising to fight against President Trump’s reckless attempt to circumvent due process to enact his mass deportation agenda:
“If he can bypass due process, declare lawful residents ‘criminals’ subject to deportation, and disappear them to foreign countries without even giving them an opportunity to make their case, what’s to stop him from doing the same to any of us?
“California is nothing but Trump’s test case for the rest of the country. We can’t let him get away with it. We won’t let him get away with it.”
On June 12th, Senator Padilla was forcibly removed from a DHS press conference by FBI and Secret Service personnel. He was pushed out of the room, then forced to the floor, handcuffed and led away in spite of clearly stating his name and position and that he had simply wanted to ask a question.
Later Padilla said, “I was there peacefully. At one point, I had a question and so I began to ask a question. I was almost immediately forcefully removed from the room. I was forced to the ground, and I was handcuffed. I was not arrested. I was not detained.
“If this is how the Department of Homeland Security responds to a senator with a question, you can only imagine what they’re doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers out in the Los Angeles community and throughout California and throughout the country,” he added. “We will hold this administration accountable.”
This report is on the bills that I followed through the 2025 Legislative Session. So far, most of the bills are still on the Governor’s desk waiting to be signed, vetoed or passed without his signature. He has six days as of today to accomplish this, so the process should move quickly.
I will have another report on June 14th with the status of each bill.
Next session will be in 2027.
Bill Number
Bill Name
Bill Description
Position
Status
AB73
AI on Media
Requires certain communications relating to an election that includes synthetic media
Support
4/1 introduced 4/8 passed out of committee 6/3 Delivered to the Governor
AB81
Daylight Savings
Lock the Clock
Support
4/2 passed as amended but hasn’t been heard. not sure if dead 6/1 This bill is DEAD
AB123
Campaign Hate Speech
Political campaign or speech that no statements which threaten the life of any any other person
Support
4/3 Notice of exemption. Not sure where is. 4/15 this bill didn’t make the deadline.
AB176
Reproductive Healthcare
Prohibiting a governmental entity from substantially burdening certain activity relating to reproductive health care
Support
5/29 Delivered to the Governor
AB178
Voting by Mail
Sec. of State and county/city Clerks to establish procedures to inform registered voters of the requirements for voting by mail
This bill did not make the April 14th deadline
AB197
Government Administration
Requires gov. entities to keep personal information confidential regarding members,volunteers of a nonprofits org.
5/29 Approved by the Governor
AB228
Elections
Establishes procedures for the use of absentee ballots in an election
This bill is dead as of 4/12
AB229
Election
Revising certain deadlines relating to the return of mail ballots
This bill is dead as of 4/12
AB235
Reproductive Health Care
Keeping certain personal information by court order and defines how this is done
Support
3/19 introduced 3/31 passed out 4/3 2nd reading 5/29 approved by the Governor. Effective 7/1/2025.
AB242
Elections
Requiring ballots and voted be counted using a mechanical voting system
This bill is Dead
AB246
Elections
Requiring the Sec.of State and county/city clerks to provide certain voting information on certain websites and in certain languages
This bill is Dead
AB260
Support Services
Requiring an abortion services provider to compile and provide to patients a list of post-abortion counseling and support services
Support
This bill was cut on the 4/11 deadline
AB287
Elections
Revising the circumstances under which a candidate defeated at a certain elections may demand a recount.
This bill is Dead
AB 343
Hospital Pricing
A list of goods and services that the hospital offers and prices
Support
4/10 introduced not sure where it is 5/29 delivered to the Governor
AB 346
End of Life
Certificates of Death by self admin. of medication to end life
Support
4/4 introduced 4/10 work session passed out 4/16 1st print moved to next day leg. session This bill is Dead
SB73
Elections
This would require a county/city clerk to allow any person to inspect the signature of a registered voter.
This bill died as of 4/12 2025
SB 74
Clean up election bill
Electronic transmission, methods candidate filing fees, election boards etc.
Watch
4/8 introduced 4/10 work session passed out 4/10 hearing and not sure where it is. I think this bill died.
SB94
Daylight Saving
Lock the Clock
Watch
Failed 4/11 CUT
SB100
Elections
Establishing provisions governing the performance of certain elections duties in a timely manner and providing a penalty.
6/01/2025 the bill was delivered to the Governor.
SB102
Fake Electors
Prohibiting a person from with intent to defraud knowingly creating filing or otherwise submitting certain documents relating to elections or a false slate of electors
Support
2/18 heard 4/10 work session passed out 4/25 3rd reading passed 13 yes 8 no 5/27 this bill was delivered to the Governor.
SB103
Elections
Relating to deadlines for the return of mail in ballots and various requirements.
This bill died 4/12
SB122
Elections
Prohibiting a person from returning a mail ballot on behalf of a voter unless the person is a resident of this State
This bill died 4/12
SB139
Terminating a pregnancy
Repeal the crime of terminating a pregnancy
Support
Failed 4/11 cut
SB160
Discriminatory Practices
Moving the Nevada Equal Rights commission from the Depart.of Employment, training and rehabilitation to the office of Attorney General
5/31 this bill was delivered to the Governor.
Sb195
Elections
Requiring the Sec.of State and county/city clerks to establish procedures to inform registered voter of the requirements for voting by mail in ballot.
This bill died on 4/12
SB217
IVF
Authorizing a person whose engagement in such activity has been so burdened to assert the violation as a claim or defense in a judicial proceeding.
Support
3/20 introduced 4/8 work session pass out as amended don’t know where it is now This bill did not pass.
SB352
Certain Discriminatory Actions
Prohibiting certain health insurers and providers of health care from engaging in certain discriminatory actions.
Support
3/20 introduced 4/16 Senate final passage 17 yes 4 now to assembly 4/14 1st reading 4/15 second reading passed. I think this bill is Dead.
SB443
Elections
Voter registration during certain periods preceding an elections.
This bill is dead
AJR5*
Amendment to Lottery Tickets
To change the State Constitution to allow Lottery Tickets sells
Watch
Failed 4/11 cut
AJR5
Redistricting
Change the State Constitution on establishing or revising boundaries
Watch
Failed 4/11 cut
AJR6
National Popular Vote Compact
In a Presidential or VP election who ever wins the popular vote the state electors will also vote for the actual popular vote.
Watch
Died no hearing
SJR3
Constitutional Convention
Impose fiscal restraints on the federal gov. limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal gov. limit the terms of office for federal officials and members of Congress.
Watch
Died no hearing
SJR6
Independent Redistricting Commission
Change the State Constitution by forming a independent redistricting commission
Support
Died no hearing
SJR7
Reproductive Health Care
Change the State Constitution on the right to choose on reproductive health care
“He that filches from me my good name Robs me of that which not enriches him And makes me poor indeed.” (Shakespeare’s Othello)
Three and a half years into a defamation and wrongful termination civil suit, on May 27, 2025, former City of Mesquite, NV Police Chief Joseph MaQuade Chesley and his wife sat quietly behind his attorney as Clark County, Nevada District Judge Timothy Williams in referring to continued discovery delays told the City defense attorney:
“I would have expected better from a municipality, the City of Mesquite. “I have not seen anything like this coming from the city government. I find that shocking.”
Defamation
Chesley and his wife, Shayla May, are defending themselves against the aftermath of what his attorney, Phillip Trenchak, described as unsubstantiated:
“Sustained, vicious series of attacks involved the dissemination of false and defamatory statements of a criminal sexual nature by Mesquite’s former City Attorney Bob Sweetin.”[i]
In a September 2023 civil suit against The City of Mesquite, Aaron Baker, Robert Sweetin, Davison Van Cleve PC [Sweetin’s law firm], and various unnamed individuals, Trenchak outlined the serious nature of defamation against the Chesleys.
Trenchak pointed to the extreme economic and emotional harm, headaches, sleeplessness, and various physical and mental distress imposed on his clients by the defendants, adding that such emotional distress impacted Shayla Chesley’s ability to conceive and required fertility treatment.
The attorney added that the serious nature of the allegations impacted Chesley’s ability to continue his career since Sweetin’s unsubstantiated charges portraying him as a sexual deviant called into question his professional and personal conduct, seeking to impugn his reputation and standing in the community.
2007: Chesley hired
On June 18, 2007, Joseph MaQuade Chesleyleft the St. George, Utah, Police Department to join the Mesquite Police Department. He first served under then-Police Chief Doug Law and later under Troy Tanner, who replaced Law upon his retirement.
2014 Sweetin rose to City Attorney
In January 2014, Mayor Allan Litman, Council members W.Geno Withelder, George Rapson, Kraig Hafen, Rich Green, and Cynthia’ Cindi’ Delaney promoted Deputy City Attorney Robert Sweetin to replace
Retiring city attorney Cheryl Hunt. Sweetin moved quickly to eliminate the deputy position and consolidate legal power for the City.
2014 Chesley-Sweetin Business Partnership
In late August 2014, the Chesley brothers, MaQuade, MaClinn, and MaKay, entered into a partnership with Courtney Sweetin, Robert Sweetin’s wife, to open “The Splash Pad” in Mesquite, serving snow cones, drinks, cookies, and other refreshments. According to Courtney Sweetin, her family has been friends with Chesley’s since moving to Mesquite. [ii]
2017 The Tobler Case
While not directly involved in the Chesley issue, Sweetin’s handling of the Tobler Case raised concerns.
In 2017, 16-year-old Kylie Tobler of Mesquite met 19-year-old Broc Smith, which eventually led to a relationship during which Tobler claimed Smith sexually assaulted her, after which her father, Shawn Tobler, a member of the Mesquite Fire Department decided to press criminal charges. According to Tobler, he met with the Chief of Police Tanner, after which Tanner agreed to send the case to Sweetin.
The resulting court proceeding ended with Smith pleading guilty to a charge of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor and a Temporary Protective Order forbidding Smith from having any further contact with Tobler until she reached 18.
2019, Chesley became the Chief, and Baker became the City Manager.
Following Tanner’s retirement, Mesquite Mayor Litman and City Council members Annie Black, George Gault, George Rapson, Brian Wursten, and Sandra Ramaker met on Tuesday, February 12, 2019. They appointed Chesley as the new Chief of Police.
When appointed, City Manager Andy Barton said that Chesley had the respect of the men and women throughout the department and that “he will do an excellent job as chief.” [iii]
However, following Chesley’s appointment, Sweetin, in referring to the police officers attesting to Chesley’s hearing during the appointment meeting, sent text messages to police officers under Chesley’s command which read: “Kiss ass” and “Were you guys threatened with your jobs? Adding that, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a turnout like this for an appointment.”
Shortly thereafter, Barton retired, and Litman recommended that Deputy City Manager and long-time employee Aaron Baker replace him. Council members Gault, Rapson, and Wursten agreed.
However, Councilwoman Ramaker supported the appointment of Christian Clegg, the Deputy City Manager of Stockton, California, whom a hiring committee had interviewed as part of a replacement search after learning that Barton would retire.
2020 Sweetin vs. Litman and Chesley meets with Baker
In 2020, Sweetin filed to run against Litman for the Mayor’s position. In reporting his source of income besides the City Attorney position, Sweetin’s ownership interest is in the local Splash Pad, and he earns income as an attorney from Davison Van Cleve, LLC, while also serving as a counselor for the Small Business Development Corporation.
Among smaller donations, on June 15, 2020, Sweetin received $10,000 in contributions from Mesquite Gaming, LLC, and on August 26, 2020, Litman received $5,000 from the same source.
As the political rivalry between Sweetin and Litman continued, Chesley asked City Manager Baker to stop Sweetin’s attacks against him.
After that failed on September 24, 2020, Chesley filed a charge with the Director of Human Resources, which resulted in Mayor Litman, along with Council members Black, Gault, Rapson, Ramaker, and Wursten, contracting with Littler Mendelsohn to investigate the allegations made by Chesley against Sweetin. Littler Mendelsohn found that Chesley’s complaint against Sweetin was substantiated. [iv],[1]
2020 MPOA supports Litman
In September 2020, two MPD officers made claims of harassment against Sweetin, which were deemed legitimate. However, despite a recommendation for disciplinary action, none was taken.
Also in September, the Mesquite Police Officers Association (MPOA) [2] endorsed Litman. In a series of mailers, the association detailed the Tobler case and reported the belief that Sweetin abused his powers in prosecuting Smith years earlier.
The authors of the mailer said, “We believe this young man [referring to Broc Smith] was criminally charged [in the Tobler case] for an offense he should never have been charged with.”
2020 Litman retains Mayor Position
Litman retained his seat in the November 3, 2020, election with nearly 67 percent of the vote, or 6,271 votes, vs. 3,098 votes for Sweetin.
Robison reported that the letter criticized Sweetin in several areas where the MPOA membership had disagreed with Sweetin over the years. Robison wrote that the letter sparked a community political battle that became emotional, bitter, and contentious over the final four weeks leading up to the election.
2020 Sweetin fired
Shortly after being reelected as Mayor on December 8, 2020, Litman, along with Council members Wes Boger (who replaced George Rapson), Gault, Ramaker, and Wursten, held a special meeting to consider Sweetin’s retention.
After hearing pro and con comments about Sweetin, Wursten moved to retain Sweetin as the City Attorney. The motion went without a second, followed by a motion by Councilwoman Ramaker to terminate Sweetin without cause. Councilman Gault seconded the motion, which passed with Mayor Litman and Councilman Boger joining Ramaker and Gault. Wursten, of course, voted against the termination. [vi]
Simultaneously, Ramaker, Gault, and Boger agreed to terminate the retainer agreement with Sweetin’s Law Firm, Davison Van Cleve PC, with Wursten opposing.
2021 Rumors and Lawsuit
In the meantime, the unsubstantiated allegations against Chesley continued as rumors.
In April 2021, Barbara Ellestad reported on her local news website, [Mesquite Citizens Journal (MCJ) (now closed) [3]], that an investigation by the Nevada Attorney General was underway into allegations of inappropriate conduct by Chesley.
Ellestad alleged that unnamed sources accused Chesley of authoring questionable texts, holding conversations, and exchanging photos with teenage girls in the community between 2015 and late 2019. Ellestad did not name sources or accusers in her MCJ article.
Chesley denied the accusation, and without substantiating evidence, Ellestad removed the article from her website.
On April 27, 2021, Mayor Litman, Council members Boger, and Karen Dutkowski (who in 2020 filled the vacated seat formerly held by Black, Gault, Ramaker, and Wursten (via Phone) held a council meeting during which they heard from individuals concerned about attacks against Chesley.
Amanda Adams addressed the anger she felt about the accusations against Chesley. She said she had worked with him at the Splash Pad and found him an exceptional, professional, and respectful boss. She said the working environment was like a family, and she never felt intimated or uncomfortable around him.
Tayler Mayer, who also worked with Chesley and his wife Shayla at the Splash Pad, joined Adams in commending Chesley for his thoughtfulness, polite, and courteous behavior.
Brooke Lee joined Adams and Mayer in appreciating Chesley’s professionalism while she worked at the Splash Pad as a high school student.
Mesquite police officers who worked with or knew Chesley spoke highly of his kindness and professionalism, not only during his tenure with the St. George Police Department before joining Mesquite but also as an Officer and Chief of the Mesquite Department.
Wyatt Oliver, a Mesquite Police Officer with a long-standing working relationship with Chesley, said there is nothing remotely factual in the allegations against the Chief. Oliver said that as an MPOA member, he was “sick and tired of the City Manager’s office bulldozing us in every aspect and everything we try to do.”
Others spoke on behalf of Chesley, including Rabbi Arthur Zuckerman, who reported on the number of times he had met with Chief Chesley, whom Zuckerman described as above reproach. Zuckerman added that ruining someone’s name is “the worst thing you can do to someone.”
Following the numerous accolades, Baker addressed the group. He informed them that he had received a complaint from a citizen and referred the issue to the Attorney General’s office for investigation.
A month later, on May 12, 2021, Baker resigned as Mesquite City Manager. According to Robison of the Mesa Valley Progress, poor relations between Baker and the Mesquite Police Officers Association (MPOA) boiled over when Ellestad published unsubstantiated allegations against Chesley.[vii]
Thirteen days later, on May 25, 2021, Mayor Litman addressed the issue of the Chesley rumors.
“There are a few in Mesquite that live by rumors and ignore the truth,” Litman told those attending the May 25, 2021 City Council Meeting.[viii]
“Rumors were spread about our Police Chief by some of those haters. I know these are harsh words, but this is the truth,” Litman said. “Let me dispel all these rumors once and for all,” he continued, adding, “What was ever alleged about our Police Chief MaQuade Chesley or even hinted about were always false, but the haters didn’t care, the fools that read those rumors and believed them were idiots.”
Litman went on, “If I offended some of those that I referred to, I meant to. The rumor mongers hoped to open a can of worms even though they knew there were no worms in the can.”
Litman further addressed the rumors by reading into the public record a May 18th letter to City Manager Aaron Baker from Attorney General (AG) Aaron Ford in which the AG said,
“Dear Mr. Baker, thank you for contacting the office of the Nevada Attorney General regarding your complaint. Since your communication with our office, your complaint has been forwarded and reviewed by our investigative unit. We conducted a preliminary investigation but found no evidence of any criminal violation. As such, we believe that this matter has been addressed at the appropriate levels within the law enforcement system. Accordingly, we have closed our investigation concerning your matter, and no criminal prosecution will be pursued.
Litman said that:
“This letter should put to rest the falsehoods that were alleged about our Chief forever. No one, and I mean no one, whitewashed anything”. He continued, “There was never anything to investigate, not in the past, not in the present, not ever, just rumors; they were not even firsthand or secondhand.
2021 Pack appointed City Attorney
During the October 12, 2021, City Council meeting, Mayor Al Litman nominated Bryan Pack as the City Attorney to replace Interim City Attorney Adam Anderson, who served since the termination of Sweetin. Councilmembers Boger, Dutkowski, George Gault, Ramaker, and Wursten agreed.
Before the appointment, Pack served on the Ivins, Utah Planning Commission for several years. He has also served as Assistant City Attorney for the City of St. George, Utah.
2021 Chesley goes to Court
Nine days later, on October 21, 2021, Chesley, through his attorney Phillip Trenchak, filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada against the City of Mesquite, Ellestad, and Baker, alleging defamation, discrimination based on religion and sex, retaliation due to religion (LDS) and sex, and intentional negligent infliction of emotional distress.
Trenchak emphasized that: “Chesley didn’t want to sue his employer.”“He loves his job, and he loves working in Mesquite.”
However, Tranchak said the onslaught of attacks just kept going on, “So this was what we had to do to protect MaQuade and his family,” the attorney said.
In December, Ellestad filed a motion to dismiss all claims against her in the case. The motion cited a Nevada law preventing Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP). [4]
A week after Ellestad’s motion, Chesley’s attorney filed a separate motion to dismiss Ellestad, which Judge Anne R. Traum, a Biden appointment, granted but “without prejudice.” [5]
On January 27, attorney Marcus Lee, managing partner of the O’Hagan Meyer) and Inku Nam (of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, LLP), representing the City and Baker, filed a motion to dismiss the claims. The motion claims that even presuming all the allegations made by Plaintiff were true, there were “no actionable claims for discrimination or retaliation based on gender or religion, deprivation of civil liberty….or defamation.”
Furthermore, the defense attorneys asserted that Chesley has not shown any substantial burden on his Free Exercise Rights. The harms he alleges—a “destroyed” reputation at his church and consummate discomfort worshipping there—are subjective, and the Ninth Circuit is clear that “a subjective chilling effect on free exercise rights is not sufficient to constitute a substantial burden.”
2022 Jankowski as City Manager
During the July 12, 2022, Mesquite City Council meeting, council members Boger, Gault (via Phone), Ramaker, Brian Wursten, and Dutkowski. Ratified the appointment of Peter Jankowski as the City Manager to replace Andy Barton, who had returned to the City manager seat after the resignation of Baker
Additionally, during the meeting, Adam Leverenz, who frequently addresses the Council, discussed the City’s consideration and approval of contracts for its insurance renewals for fiscal years 2022 through 2023.
Leverenz informed those attending the council meeting that the Dixie Leavitt agency and the Travelers Companies, as insurers, provided seven types of liability insurance, including general liability, public entity management liability, and law enforcement liability.
Leverenz pointed to an estimated cost of $1,900,668 for fiscal years 2021 and 2022, with Premiums for the upcoming period for fiscal years 2022 through 2023. $1,126,186. He said he hoped that the coverage would address issues surrounding the Mesquite Police Department. Boger, Dutkowski, Gault (via Phone), Ramaker, and Wursten approved the insurance coverage.
2022 Elections
The November 3, 2022, elections resulted in the election of Paul Wanlass to replace Dutkowski, Karen Fielding to replace Ramaker, and Pattie Gallos to take the seat previously held by Gault. They joined Councilman Boger, Wursten, and Mayor Litman.
2023 Civil Rights Action dismissed, actions filed in district court.
On August 14, 2023, Judge Traum granted a motion, with prejudice, [6] to dismiss allegations of federal civil rights violations that she deemed unsubstantiated. However, the Judge declined to address potential state law violations which were beyond her Court’s jurisdiction. [ix]
Therefore, on September 23, 2023, Trenchak, along with co-counsels Victoria C. Beasley, took the Joseph and Shayla Chesley defamation case (A-23-877738-B) against the City of Mesquite, Aaron Baker, Robert Sweetin, Davison Van Cleve PC, and other unnamed individuals to the Nevada District Court. [x]
In addition to those named in the civil action, Trenchak reported that: “City Councilmen Brian Wursten was actively communicating with former disgraced City Attorney Robert Sweetin, which may or may not have been related to the dissemination of flyers further imputing Chesley of serious sexual criminal activity victimizing minors, which was documented as occurring as recently as April of 2023.”
Chesley’s attorney added that: “The former City Attorney’s dissemination of false criminal accusations, which were a key component in Robert Sweetin’s campaign to destroy the career and reputation of MaQuade Chesley, without a shred of evidence, continues. “
In an amended complaint filed on January 5, 2024, Tremchak added Wursten to the list of defendants.
In this case, Trenchak for the Chesley asks “For compensatory damages in the principal amount above fifteen thousand ($15,000) dollars to be proven at trial; For punitive damages in the principal amount in excess of fifteen thousand ($15,000) dollars to be proven at trial; For special damages in the principal amount in excess of fifteen thousand ($15,000) dollars to be proven at trial; For attorney’s fees and costs incurred; For all damages in an amount to be proved at trial; For costs of suit herein incurred; For reasonable interest on amounts due; and any such other and further relief as this Court deems just and proper.”
This move by Chesley and their attorneys had the immediate impact of increasing Pack’s workload while also raising the cost of litigation, as represented by Travelers Insurance and the O’Hagan Law firm, in the dispute involving the City, Baker, and Wursten. At the same time, Laura, Elizabeth Rios, from Kemp Jones LLP, defended Sweetin and his Davison, Va., Cleve law firm in litigating issues.
As a practical matter, continuing the disputes in the legal system brought forth a series of costly complaints, amendments, summons, affidavits, numerous motions, default judgments, rule compliance hearings and conferences, stipulation oppositions, orders, and notices, all of which potentially lead to a trial set for September 8, 2026.
Table 1 Defense firms in Chesley case.
2024 Mesquite administrative shakeup
On February 20, 2024, Mesquite City Manager Peter Jankowski presented a letter of resignation to Mayor Litman, effective immediately.
Two months later, in April, Bryan Pack left his position as the City of Mesquite’s City attorney to return to Ivins as their city attorney.
Two months later, on June 25, 2024, Edward O. Dickie III was sworn in the City Council Chambers.
Then, on July 23, 2024, the Council appointed Michael Branum to fill Pack’s position. Branum has served as Deputy City Attorney for the City of Mesquite since October 2022.
2024 Mesquite Council rejects settlement
On October 18, 2024, the Mesquite City Council held a special meeting to consider a settlement-mediation offer in Chesley’s litigation against the City, former City Attorney Sweetin, former City Manager Baker, City Councilman Wursten, and others.
In attendance was Mayor Pro Tem Gallo, who chaired the session in the absence of Mayor Litman. Council members Wursten, Boger, Fielding, and Wanlass (via Phone). Dickie and Branum also attended.
Daniel Miller, during public comments, asked why Wursten, a litigant in the case, did not recuse himself from voting on the issue. Gallo agreed that Wursten should recuse.
Mike Benham asked the Council to “do the right thing. Settle it and move on,” adding, “We have had enough of this adding that we are taxpayers here, we put you guys up to do the job, get it settled.”
Boger agreed, pointing to payments to the insurance company totaling $78,000, with another fee of $25,000 due in June, for which the insurance company would cover the representation of Wursten and Baker. “Everyone knows,” Boger said. “This is just leftover stuff from the 2020 (Sweetin vs Litman) Mayoral race.”
Boger motioned to accept the offer, with judgment contingent upon the insurance company’s payment [undetermined] of the claim. “If they do not,” he said, I propose mediation. Gallos seconded the motion.
Wursten said, “For me, for multiple reasons, we absolutely should not accept this offer, and I don’t believe we should go to mediation.”
With Boger and Gallo accepting, Wursten, Fielding, and Wanlass voted against the motion to accept the offer.
Boger, for the record, protested that the meeting should have been held in closed session “for doing more deliberating, not in a public forum.” Wursten agreed.
Boger motioned to go to mediation and not accept the offer of judgment. Gallo seconded the motion, but it failed with three votes against. [xi]
2024 City Council Elections
A month later, in the November 2024 election, Jesse E. Whipple defeated incumbent Al Litman, and Kevin Parris took the seat previously held by Wursten. Wanlass and Boger, despite their competition, retained their seats.
2024 MPOA no-confidence vote
In an apparent reversal of support in November 2024, Del Schlosser, the president of the Mesquite Police Officers’ Association (MPOA), stated that the Association had voted no confidence in Chesley.
Schlosser noted that Chesley had been retaliatory toward people “because of comments that they made or things that they’ve brought forward.”
He added, “There has been some hiring that is believed to be close friends, based on his comments that they were, it’s the perception that it was rushed through, if you will, in the hiring processes.”
Following the no-confidence vote, Dickie placed Chelsey on administrative leave.
2025 Chesley Termination Process
On Friday, January 10, 2025, Dickie sent an email to Chief Chesley, removing him from administrative leave based on conversations he allegedly had with the independent investigator tasked with investigating the multiple allegations of misconduct made against the Chief.
A few days later, on Wednesday, January 22 Dickie stated to Channel 8 NEWSNOW reporter James Schaeffer that he terminated Chief MaQuade Chesley on Tuesday.
Dickie said in the statement that “The city’s internal investigation into Chesley has been a topic of discussion during recent city council meetings, with officials fielding questions and concerns surrounding the police chief in recent months.“[xii]
On January 29, 2025, the City served Chesley’s counsel with a “Notice of Meeting to Consider Character, Misconduct, Competence, or Health” under NRS 241.033, scheduled for February 11, 2025.
A few days later, the City Council rescinded the notice pending a City Council scheduled for March 17, 2025.
In a widely distributed February recording, Dickie said, ‘Guys, I’m going down to Louisiana, I’m going back to the back parishes, and I’m going to find me a 6 foot 5 Black woman chief…'”
In another recording, he asserts he’ll bring back an “Aunt Jemima” should the need arise to replace then-Chief of Police Maquade Chesley. In a third recording made by Chesley, Dickie used the ‘N’ word.
2025 injunctive relief A-25-913815-C
On March 3, Chesley, through his Reno, Nevada attorney Ronald J. Dreher, Esq., filed a complaint against the City of Mesquite seeking declaratory relief and injunctive relief (A-25-913815-C), claiming that the City deprived him of any procedural protection by terminating him without notice or a hearing and failed to implement safeguard Chesley’s due process rights.
The lawsuit claims that the City acted in “bad faith” and violated NRS 289.057 by using a non-law enforcement agency during the investigations into Chesley’s alleged misconduct. It also claims that his termination was done at least in part due to the City’s “questionable, discriminatory and retaliatory employment practices.”
Chesley’s lawsuit also claimed that the City violated the terms of his contract by terminating him without cause, as he was not an at-will employee; “therefore, the termination process required a pre-termination hearing, a post-termination hearing, and a reasonable opportunity to be heard at a meaningful time and in a meaningful manner.”
Chesley, through Dreher, also claims that his termination was done at least in part due to the City’s “questionable, discriminatory and retaliatory employment practices.”
2025 Chesley Hearing
On March 17, 2025, Mayor Whipple and Council members Gallo, Fielding, Wanlass, and Parrish heard arguments both for and against Chesley. [7]City Manager Dickie and City Attorney Branum also attended the meeting.
However, Councilwoman Gallo refrained from ratifying the meeting, arguing that, as a police officer, Chief Chesley had certain rights under the Peace Officers Bill of Rights (NRS 289), which the City ignored.
Councilwoman Gallo argued, among other things, that as a result of Branum’s poor advice, the legal entanglements will likely be costly.
Gallo said, “This all could have been avoided if we had proper and competent legal counsel, which we do not. The result now is that the City is in a ridiculously costly litigation that will cost us tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees.”
The Councilwoman continued: “That’s not the lawsuit; we will wind up paying and out, including the real strong opportunity that Chief Chesley is going to be very successful with this.”
I really would like not to be a part of any of this. I don’t blame Wes for leaving because this is not worth it, she added.
For his part, Branum said that Chesley, who was not present, “now has the opportunity to present information to the Council, which could be considered in closed session.”
Council member Parrish, despite numerous evidentiary and other hearings in three separate actions, wrongly argued that none of the evidence against former Chief Chesley had been presented to either Judge. Again, Parris wrongly said, “The only thing that has been argued is whether he should obtain an injunction to halt these proceedings.”
Former Mayor Litman told those attending the meeting that this meeting should not take place, as a Federal Judge had ruled that the City of Mesquite had violated NRS 289, along with allegations of an illegal investigation by the City Manager and City Attorney, which will be presented in Chesley’s state court litigation.
“The agenda item to consider the character, misconduct, competence, or physical or mental health of Chief Chesley should die with no second of the motion,” Litman said.
“Don’t go down the same rat hole as your two employees [Dickie and Branum} have done, Litman urged, adding that “I have followed the vilification of the Chief for approximately six years. When those who wanted him out failed, it started again with rumors, and those of the police union that have sided with the Chief and those who had sided with a handful of enemies who would stop at nothing to have him removed.”
“Let me remind you,” Litman added, “anyone commits no crime until formal charges have been brought up, and they have not. If the Chief committed a felony, why has he not been arrested, arraigned, and tried? The reason why? There was no crime.”
“Thankfully,” Litman concluded, “I am no longer here to serve you, and I can sleep peacefully at night, and I seriously wonder how most of you can.”
Councilwoman Fielding moved to ratify the termination of Chesley, with Wanlass adding the second. Parrish joined with the two, and the motion passed. Gallo abstained. [xiii]
2025 Dickie fired
During an April 22, 2025, City Council meeting, Councilwoman Gallo noted a string of “bad decisions” by Dickie, including firing Chesley at the behest of the local police union. “It’s time for this city to start healing,” she said before making the motion to terminate Dickie.
Council members Bill Ennis (who had replaced Boger) along with Wanlass, and Parrish agreed Councilwoman Fielding supported Dickie and blamed the public outcry to fire him on the individuals who recorded his comments,
Dickie’s February “racist” remarks, along with the handling of the termination of Chesley, played a part in the decision to terminate the city manager.
According to Bobbie Green, reporting for the Mesa Valley Progress, Dickie apologized for what he characterized as a poor choice of words and stated that he was not a racist.
Green, in her reporting, said that Council members stated this was a difficult decision to make since Dickie was well-liked, but the majority sided with termination for the sake of the City.
In addition, Green wrote that the City can’t have a city manager who speaks that way and that the City has already received too much negative publicity due to the handling of the Chesley termination.
Green noted that Chesley attended the council meeting and said, “Dickie should be held accountable for what he said.”
2025 Injunctive relief Hearing and order A-25-913815-C
On May 15, 2025, Clark County District Court Judge Nadia Krall heard Chesley’s declaratory and injunctive relief charge (A-25-913815-C) from March 3, regarding Chesley’s claim that the City terminated him without notice or a hearing, thereby violating his due process rights.
At that hearing, Dreher for Chesley made a motion for an order to Show Cause and a Motion for Attorney’s Fees and Costs.
Additionally, the Court heard Defendant City of Mesquite’s (“City”) Motion for Reconsideration of a previous Court’s Order (1) Granting a Restraining Order, a Motion for Preliminary Injunction, and a Motion to Enforce Injunction, and Defendant’s Amended Motion for Reconsideration of Court’s Order Granting Plaintiff’s Motion for Order to Show Cause.
Twelve days later, on May 27, the Mesquite City Council had scheduled, among other things, an action to consider City Attorney Michael Branum’s performance. He resigned before the hearing.
2025 Definition Case Default
On May 30th Trenchak for Chesley filed a motion in Chesley’s defamation case (A-23-877738-B) against the City of Mesquite, Aaron Baker, Robert Sweetin, Davison Van Cleve PC, and other unnamed individuals asking District Judge Timothy Williams to issue a default against the City of Mesquite, former city manager, Aaron Baker and former City Councilman Brian Wursten for “severe pernicious and continuous discover abuses under Nevada; s Civil Procedure ruling 37”.
Judge Williams expressed his concern that the litigation costs of Chesley’s civil cases against the City of Mesquite and other former employees impact his attorneys’ ability to represent him.
Moments later in the hour-long hearing, the Judge awarded attorney fees [without regard to recovery] to Chesley’s attorney.
In awarding attorney fees without regard to recovery, Judge Williams essentially signaled a belief that the City of Mesquite officials and the defense attorneys they represented maintained, without reasonable ground, various delaying actions to harass the attorneys in presenting Chesley’s case. 2005 order A-25-913815-C
Then, on June 3, Judge Krall granted the Plaintiff’s Motion for Order to Show Cause and Motion for Attorney’s Fees and Costs. Additionally, the Judge denied the Defendant’s Motion for Reconsideration of the Court’s Orders and previous motions.
Court Order
The Court granted the Plaintiff’s motion for an order to show cause and attorney’s fees.
The City of Mesquite and its attorneys were held in contempt for violating a court order.
The Court denied the defendant’s motions for reconsideration regarding previous orders.
Findings of Fact
The Plaintiff’s motion for attorney’s fees met the criteria established in Brunzell v. Golden Gate National Bank.
The City of Mesquite failed to respond to the Plaintiff’s motion within the allotted time.
The City violated a clear court order by holding a prohibited agenda item.
Conclusions of Law
The City of Mesquite, as a law enforcement agency, is required to comply with Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) Chapter 289 regarding investigations of peace officers.
The Court found that the City acted in bad faith by fabricating criminal allegations against the Plaintiff.
The City was fined $500 for contempt and ordered to pay the Plaintiff’s legal fees.
2005 Interim Mesquite City Attorney.
Also, on June 3, the Mesquite City Council unanimously appointed Adam Anderson from Barney McKenna & Olmstead as the interim attorney for the City of Mesquite.
This is not the end.
To quote Churchill, “It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”
Meanwhile, Judge Williams outlined the costly schedule for the continuation of the Joseph and Shayla Chesley defamation case (A-23-877738-B) against the City of Mesquite, Baker, Sweetin, Davison Van Cleve PC, and other unnamed individuals.
The schedule, which concludes with a Jury trial on September 8, 2026, includes a litany of Plaintiff motions essentially designed to compel the City of Mesquite and the insurance company’s defense attorneys to produce documents that will aid in presenting the case to a jury.
It is common for a defense to use such delaying strategies to prepare for trial, gather evidence, or explore potential weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
However, Judge Williams, in reviewing the delays from October 21, 2021, when Chesley, through his attorney Phillip Trenchak, filed the lawsuit, to May 27, 2025, when he told the defense that he expected “better from a municipality, the City of Mesquite, “I would have expected better from a municipality, the City of Mesquite. “I have not seen anything like this coming from the city government. I find that shocking.”
Potential plaintiff attorney fee awards (estimated in 2024 at more than $100,000) would mitigate the fiscal impact on the Chesleys.
Table 2 Litigation strategy to 2026
However, the defense strategy of delay, while enriching defense attorneys, may place a potential long-term burden on the Mesquite taxpayer.
It was former Mayor Al Litman who urged Mayor Whipple, Council members Gallo, Fielding, Wanlass, and Parrish, “Don’t go down the same rat hole as your two employees [Dickie and Branum} have done, and reminding them that, “anyone commits no crime until formal charges have been brought up, and they have not. If the Chief committed a felony, why has he not been arrested, arraigned, and tried? The reason why? There was no crime.”
While the damage to Joseph MaQuade Chesley’s career and his wife’s health is virtually irreversible, it remains for Mayor Whipple, Council members Gallo, Fielding, Wanlass, Ennis, and Parrish to heed Litman’s advice, accept the consequences of the City’s failures, and end the charade now rather than later.
Endnotes
[1] The City of Mesquite attempted to minimize the City’s involvement by explaining that the statements were not made in Mr. Sweetin’s official capacity as the former City Attorney. Therefore, they argue, the City Attorney cannot make a criminal allegation against another City Official, as just another ordinary civilian citizen.
[2] The MPOA is a separate organization apart from the Mesquite Police Department and not under the authority of the Police Chief.
[3] On May 13, 2021, the Mesquite Citizens’ Journal ceased operations.
[4] The anti-SLAPP statute aims to prevent lawsuits that would censor, intimidate, or silence critics by unnecessarily burdening them with the high cost of legal defense.
[5] “Without prejudice” means that a statement, communication, or action is made without affecting or waiving a legal right or claim.
[6] “With prejudice” means that a case is dismissed permanently and cannot be refiled.
[7] Councilman Boger had left the Council on March 3 for personal reasons.
[i] Joseph Maquade Chesley, Shayla Mae Chesley vs. City of Mesquite, Aaron Baker, Robert Sweetin, Davison Van ClevePC, Doe Individuals 1 through 300; and Rose Business or Governmental Entities 1 through 300, Case No. A-23-877738B, filed 9/13/2023 Eighth Judicial District Court, Clark County, Nevada.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has announced a new agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that will align the Department with federal authorities. In an apparent reversal of standing policy, Metro Police have signed a memorandum of agreement to revive the department’s partnership with U.S. ICE. The new 287(g) agreement is under the Warrant Service Officer program, which enables local officers to execute administrative warrants for people already in jail.
The 287(g) program is described by ICE as a partnership with local law enforcement to remove criminal aliens from the U.S.
“When an inmate is prepared for release, officers inside the Clark County Detention Center will serve an ICE warrant on the inmate and hold them for no more than 48 (additional) hours,” said a Department spokesperson. Metro policy previously dictated that the department wouldn’t delay the release of inmates for ICE. Despite the new agreement, Metro stated there will be no additional changes to its immigration policy.
Metro’s spokesperson said the agreement, which is currently pending with ICE, was signed Friday, a day after “Las Vegas City” was listed as a sanctuary jurisdiction by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. That list has since been deleted.
On Thursday, the State Senate passed Assembly Joint Resolution 9 (AJR9). The summary of the resolution, which had been passed by the Assembly last month, reads as follows:
“Urges Congress to enact legislation to prohibit officers and agents of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the United States Department of Homeland Security from entering schools and places of worship for the purposes of enforcing federal immigration laws. (BDR R-779)”
The resolution was passed mostly along party lines but with one Senator, Lori Rogich, R-Las Vegas, joining the “aye” votes. Joint resolutions do not require the governor’s signature, so the resolution instructed the Chief Clerk of the Assembly to prepare and transmit a copy of this resolution to the Vice President of the United States as the presiding officer of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and each member of the Nevada Congressional Delegation.
“By passing this resolution, Nevada is sending a clear message to Congress and the country that we don’t want families in our community to be afraid to practice their faith or take their kids to school, period,” Athar Haseebullah, Executive Director of the Nevada ACLU, said in a statement. He added that he appreciated Assembly members Erica Mosca, D-Las Vegas, and Cecelia González, D-Las Vegas, pushing for the resolution’s passage.
The resolution reads, in part, “The activities of federal immigration law enforcement agencies, on or around schools and places of worship, including, without limitation, surveillance, interviews, demands for information, arrests, detention or any other federal immigration enforcement activities, harmfully disrupt the learning and religious environments of schools and places of worship and significantly interfere with the ability of students and persons who attend religious services, regardless of their immigration status, to access free public education and places of worship…”
Nevada is the first state to send such a message to Congress, the state’s American Civil Liberties Union affiliate said.
