Clark County to pay $375K settlement to former Telles employees

Settlement comes after women accused ex-public administrator of creating hostile work environment before he killed reporter Jeff German

Apr. 7, 2026 at 3:04am

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An extreme close-up of a shattered car sensor lens reflecting a faint red light, conceptually illustrating the vandalism of self-driving cars.A settlement over the county's handling of complaints against ex-public administrator Robert Telles comes after he was convicted of murdering a journalist who reported on the allegations.Las Vegas Today

Clark County commissioners are set to vote on a $375,000 settlement for three former employees who sued the county over its handling of complaints against then-Public Administrator Robert Telles. The complaints came before Telles was accused of fatally stabbing Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German.

Why it matters

This settlement highlights the county's failure to address employee complaints about Telles' behavior, which may have contributed to the tragic murder of journalist Jeff German. It raises questions about accountability and the protection of whistleblowers in local government.

The details

Jessica Coleman, Aleisha Goodwin, Noraine Pagdanganan and Rita Reid filed a federal lawsuit against Clark County in May 2024, alleging the county took no action in response to complaints filed about Telles' bullying, hostile work environment, and affair with a subordinate. The settlement, which still needs commissioner approval, will distribute $375,000 between Coleman, Goodwin and Reid, with Pagdanganan previously accepting a $10,000 offer.

  • In August 2024, Telles was convicted of murdering Jeff German nearly two years prior.
  • In May 2024, the women filed a federal lawsuit against Clark County.
  • In May 2023, Clark County proposed a $100,000 settlement, which the plaintiffs called 'disrespectful'.

The players

Robert Telles

The former Clark County Public Administrator who was convicted of murdering Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German in 2022.

Jessica Coleman

One of the former Telles employees who sued Clark County over its handling of complaints against him.

Aleisha Goodwin

One of the former Telles employees who sued Clark County over its handling of complaints against him.

Rita Reid

The current Clark County Public Administrator who ran against Telles out of 'desperation' to remove him from office.

Jeff German

The Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter who was murdered by Telles in 2022 after reporting on allegations against him.

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What they’re saying

“It definitely feels more like justice than it did with the initial settlement talks. It also just feels like, for them, it's time to honor everything that happened, honor Jeff German by moving forward and living their lives.”

— Taylor Jorgensen, Attorney for the plaintiffs

“Maybe it will make a difference somewhere down the road and allow employees to be better heard by all levels.”

— Rita Reid, Clark County Public Administrator

What’s next

Clark County commissioners are set to vote on the $375,000 settlement on Tuesday.

The takeaway

This case highlights the county's failure to address employee complaints about Telles' behavior, which may have contributed to the tragic murder of journalist Jeff German. It raises serious questions about accountability and the protection of whistleblowers in local government.