Police in Las Vegas (Nevada, United States) arrested Robert Telles, public administrator of Clark County, on Wednesday. –an elected official–due to his alleged relationship with the murder of investigative journalist Jeff German. According to the local press, German had published in the newspaper Review-Journal investigations critical of Telles’ work shortly before the Democratic politician lost the primaries last June.
Police arrested Telles, 45, at his home hours after serving a search warrant at his home and seizing the public employee’s vehicles.
About 6 hours after @LVMPD began searching the home of @ClarkCountyNV official Rob Telles in connection w/ reporter Jeff German’s slaying, a red GMC matching the description of a vehicle police say was tied to the killing has been towed away. https://t.co/a2sQAQhPwV pic.twitter.com/vPX5IA4PL2
– Rio Lacanlale (@riolacanlale) September 7, 2022
“We are relieved that Telles is in custody and outraged that a colleague has apparently been killed for reporting on an elected official,” said the editor of the Review-JournalGlenn Cook, after learning of the official’s arrest.
Jeff German, 69, with four decades of experience in journalism, was found dead last Saturday outside his home in Las Vegas after being stabbed. The Clark County coroner ruled that German had died from “multiple stab wounds” and ruled the case a homicide.
Police asked for help identifying the attacker and on Tuesday showed a short video of a possible suspect walking down a sidewalk dressed in bright orange “construction attire” and distributed a photo of a car that may be related to the case. Telles was seen washing a similar vehicle parked at his home on Tuesday.
Reports on the Telles office
The reporter had published that within Telles’s office there were complaints of intimidation and that the politician had a sentimental relationship with a subordinate.
Telles, elected in 2018 and whose mandate expires on December 31, had made fun of German’s articles on social networks. He knows Review-Journal that German subtly threatened me to be removed from my position when I had already lost the elections? tweeted Telles on June 17.
Does the @LVRJ know that @JGermanRJ may be doing double duty on their dime? Do they know he basically made a veiled threat to make me take down my site with the truth after I already lost the election? #Las Vegas pic.twitter.com/9H2szMAGtV
— Rob Telles (@RobTellesLV) June 17, 2022
In the weeks before the election, German published reports of an office “plunged into confusion and dissension” between longtime employees and new hires under Telles, according to the AP agency. But Telles blamed the “veterans” for exaggerating the extent of their relationship with an employee and falsely claiming that she mistreated them.
German was working on another story on the matter, the newspaper reported Wednesday, and had already filed public records requests for emails and text messages between Telles and three other county officials.
www.eldiario.es