LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Clark County commissioners approved a possible settlement Tuesday with four women who are suing the county, claiming ex-politician and convicted murderer Robert Telles created a hostile work environment.
Telles, 48, the former Clark County public administrator, killed Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German, 69, in 2022 after German wrote unflattering stories about Telles and the office he ran. The Clark County Public Administrator’s Office administers the estates of the deceased while a search is conducted to find a family member or executor.
A jury found Telles guilty last summer. The panel, along with a judge, sentenced him to a minimum of 28 years in prison. Evidence at trial included the fact that police found Telles’ DNA under German’s fingernails.
Four employees of the public administrator’s office filed the federal complaint last year, claiming Telles created a hostile work environment before his arrest and later removal from his elected position.
The four women said Telles discriminated, harassed, and retaliated against them after they reported his behavior to the county, the lawsuit said. When Telles became aware of formal complaints about him, he allegedly retaliated against the employees involved.
On Tuesday, commissioners unanimously approved a settlement, totaling $100,000 to be split among the four women.
“Should the plaintiffs accept the offers of judgment, Clark County will be dismissed from the action in full satisfaction of all claims and damages in accordance with the terms of the offer of judgment,” a staff report to the commissioners said. “Alternatively, a rejection of an offer of judgment by the plaintiffs will leave Clark County better situated to defend its interests and minimize liability and exposure through discovery and trial.”
The approval came on the commission’s consent agenda, and there was no discussion or debate.
It was not immediately clear if the women would accept the settlement offer. A trial in the civil lawsuit was not scheduled as of Tuesday.
