Nevada Launches First-Ever Public Corruption Strike Force to Root Out Government Graft

In a decisive step to combat longstanding issues of integrity in public office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada has announced the creation of the state’s first Public Corruption Strike Force. Unveiled on January 14, this dedicated unit will prioritize the investigation and prosecution of federal crimes that erode trust in government, including bribery of officials at every level, election-related offenses, and other violations affecting public integrity.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah, leading the office in her current capacity, delivered a strong message in the official release: “For far too long, public corruption in the State of Nevada has been a scourge on Nevada’s residents and business owners. Public corruption affects everything from a competitive and untainted business environment with minimal barriers to market entry, labor industries and overall standard of living for Nevadans.”

She continued, “The Public Corruption Strike Force will ensure that all Federal, State, and Municipal agencies coordinate and work together to pool criminal intelligence and data, and ensure the vigorous prosecution of bad actors violating the public’s trust. No stone will be left unturned to protect Nevadans from corruption and no public official and/or agency is above the law.”

However, the announcement has drawn pushback from some legal observers and former prosecutors. Retired Nevada federal public defender Franny Forsman expressed concern over increased federal involvement in local elections, suggesting the move could overreach into state matters. Former Nevada U.S. Attorney Greg Brower, a Republican, questioned the necessity, stating he was “not sure there’s a public corruption problem in Nevada such that a separate strike force like this is required,” while acknowledging that corruption should always be aggressively pursued.

The strike force, housed within the office’s Criminal Division, will draw on assistant U.S. attorneys experienced in handling public corruption matters. It emphasizes enhanced collaboration across federal, state, and local law enforcement to streamline investigations and ensure aggressive enforcement.

Nevada’s history provides ample context for this initiative. 

The state has seen significant federal probes into public misconduct over the years, most notably Operation G-Sting in the early 2000s. That high-profile FBI investigation exposed bribery involving Clark County commissioners who accepted payoffs from a strip club owner, resulting in convictions and prison sentences for several officials.

More recently, cases have involved misuse of campaign funds by state legislators, leading to resignations, and other instances of embezzlement and fraud in public roles.

In 2023, controversy erupted over last-minute “Christmas tree” bills passed during the legislative session, which directed $110 million in taxpayer funds to various nonprofits and community groups. Some of these organizations had ties to Democratic lawmakers who voted in favor, sparking accusations of conflicts of interest and a perceived “culture of corruption” in Carson City. This fueled political attacks in the 2024 election cycle but led to limited reforms—most transparency-related bills introduced in the 2025 session failed to pass the Democratic majority.

In 2023, I reported: 

A new Las Vegas Review-Journal report details more examples of ethical concerns involving additional Senators Marilyn Dondero Loop and Dina Neal, Assemblywoman Bea Duran, and Democrat Party Chair Daniele Monroe-Moreno, who is also an Assemblywoman and claimed she was “instrumental” in passing the bill. This comes after both Assemblyman Cameron “C.H.” Miller and Assemblywoman Michelle Gorelow have announced their departures from the legislature amid scandal.

At least 13 legislators had connections to organizations that received more than $33 million from the state this legislative session, prompting ethics concerns in Nevada.

More than 70 groups received over $110 million in state funding through Assembly Bill 525 and Senate Bill 341, legislation commonly referred to as “Christmas tree bills” which gift state funds to organizations for certain programs or initiatives.

Some of those lawmakers volunteered their time, while others were paid. Some say they haven’t held positions at organizations that received money in years or even decades, while others say they properly disclosed their roles.

Assemblywoman Monroe-Moreno said she was “instrumental” in the formation of the Christmas tree bills and the distribution of funds. According to the report, Monroe-Moreno and Dondero Loop “sat down and compared notes to determine which organizations would get money.”

Flush with pandemic cash, the $110 million was hastily reviewed and passed in the final hours of the legislative session. Of that $110 million, $25 million was given to the Nevada Democratic party’s largest supporter, the Culinary Union, who campaigns, endorses and ballot harvests for state Democrats.

Originally, the request was $15 million but was nearly-doubled by Senate Leader Nicole Cannizzaro.

After this exposure, five Democratic lawmakers abandoned their reelection campaigns. 

Cannizzaro is now running for Attorney General. 

The new strike force aims to address such patterns head-on by focusing resources specifically on integrity-related crimes, sending a clear signal that violations of the public trust will face swift and coordinated federal response.

The Department of Justice’s official announcement is available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nv/pr/us-attorneys-office-announces-creation-public-corruption-strike-force