A Pattern of Harassment Emerges Early (Image Credits: Pixabay)
Las Vegas – Clark County commissioners prepared to vote on a $375,000 settlement with three women who endured a hostile work environment under former Public Administrator Robert Telles. The employees accused the county of ignoring their complaints about Telles’ behavior, which included harassment and retaliation. Telles, now serving a lengthy prison sentence for murdering a reporter who investigated the office dysfunction, left a trail of turmoil that reached federal court.[1][2]
A Pattern of Harassment Emerges Early
Robert Telles assumed the role of Clark County Public Administrator in January 2019, but complaints surfaced within months. Employees described an office divided by favoritism and intimidation. Aleisha Goodwin filed the first formal grievance in August 2020, with colleagues Jessica Coleman, Noraine Pagdanganan, and Rita Reid serving as witnesses.[1]
Telles allegedly made sexual advances toward younger female staff members. Those who rejected him faced isolation and hostility. The suit claimed discrimination against Reid based on her age and against Goodwin based on her religion. Retaliation intensified after the women reported these issues to county human resources, yet officials took no meaningful action.[3]
Reporter’s Probe Ignites Scandal and Tragedy
Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German began investigating the Public Administrator’s office in May 2022. His stories detailed bullying, an illicit affair with a subordinate, and a fractured workplace. Telles lost a primary election to Reid that same month amid the mounting scrutiny.
Tragedy struck in September 2022 when Telles stabbed German to death outside the reporter’s home. Prosecutors argued the killing stemmed from German’s exposés. A jury convicted Telles in August 2024, sentencing him to 28 years to life. He remains incarcerated in Ely, Nevada, with parole eligibility in 2050.[1]
County Inaction Fuels Federal Lawsuit
The four women filed suit in U.S. District Court in May 2024, targeting Clark County for failing to protect them. Human resources had interviewed the complainants but deemed the issues “moot” after Telles’ arrest. The county never thoroughly probed his messages, despite later revelations of his affair through thousands of emails.
Clark County initially offered $100,000 in May 2025, a sum the plaintiffs deemed “disrespectful.” Pagdanganan accepted a separate $10,000 offer of judgment that year. The remaining three pursued mediation, leading to the current proposal. They voluntarily dropped claims against Telles, who filed a countersuit alleging slander; discovery continues there.[4]
Settlement Breakdown and Path Forward
If approved, the $375,000 would distribute as follows:
| Employee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Jessica Coleman | $90,000 |
| Aleisha Goodwin | $240,000 |
| Rita Reid | $45,000 |
All three women continue serving in the Public Administrator’s office, now led by Reid. Attorneys for the plaintiffs expressed relief at the resolution. Taylor Jorgensen, their lawyer, noted, “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.”[1]
Rita Reid added, “No amount of money could adequately compensate her for the county’s response to Telles’ behavior,” but hoped it might encourage better handling of future complaints. “Maybe it will make a difference somewhere down the road and allow employees to be better heard by all levels.”[4]
Key Takeaways
- Settlement marks a significant increase from the county’s initial $100,000 offer.
- Focus shifted to county’s inadequate response rather than Telles directly.
- All plaintiffs remain employed in the office, signaling resilience amid reform.
This agreement, if ratified, closes a painful chapter tied to one of Las Vegas’ most notorious public corruption cases. It underscores the lasting impact of workplace toxicity and the push for accountability in government offices. What do you think about the settlement’s fairness? Tell us in the comments.
