Ethics Complaint Filed Against Nevada Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony

An ethics complaint has been filed against Nevada Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony, alleging that he has improperly used his official social media account to promote his newly published book, *Nights of Fire: An Account of Civil Unrest in Las Vegas During the Aftermath of the Rodney King Trial*, for personal financial gain. The complaint, submitted by political consultant Lindsey Harmon, claims that Anthony's actions violate state ethics rules prohibiting public officials from leveraging their positions for personal advantage. Specifically, the complaint asserts that Anthony's promotion of his book on the social media platform X, which appeared to be linked to his official lieutenant governor account, constitutes a category E felony under state law.

The Nevada Independent

Following the filing of the complaint, Anthony modified his X account to remove the link to his government website, replacing it with a link to his official campaign account. This adjustment comes amid ongoing scrutiny regarding Anthony's use of state resources for personal and political purposes. Previously, he had also posted campaign endorsements from the same account, raising further ethical concerns.

The Nevada Independent

This complaint is not the first ethical challenge faced by Anthony. Earlier in the summer, the Nevada Ethics Commission raised concerns about his use of state resources for a task force aimed at restricting transgender athletes from competing in women's sports. Although the commission proposed dismissing that complaint contingent upon Anthony completing corrective actions—including ethics training for his staff and implementing a social media policy—he declined to enter into a deferral agreement, opting instead for further consideration of the matter.

The Nevada Independent

The ethics complaint process in Nevada is confidential until the review panel assesses the evidence and decides whether to dismiss the case or proceed with further action. If the commission finds Anthony in violation of state ethics laws, potential penalties could include mandatory training, civil fines exceeding $5,000, or even a petition for his removal from office. However, it is important to note that ethics violations do not carry criminal liability.

The Nevada Independent

Anthony's office has been embroiled in controversy for several months, including the recent ousting of a former staff member, who was replaced by a prominent conservative activist as he prepares for his re-election campaign. Additionally, a separate ethics complaint against his chief of staff, Rudy Pamintuan, has been forwarded to the commission for review.

The Nevada Independent

• “The complaint, filed by political consultant and former Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Votes Lindsey Harmon, contends that Anthony’s use of social media is a category E felony per a separate state law.” — Lindsey Harmon, Political Consultant

The Nevada Independent

• “When asked about the campaign endorsements earlier this month, the lieutenant governor’s office told The Indy that the account has been Anthony’s personal page since 2012.” — Lieutenant Governor’s Office

The Nevada Independent

This ongoing situation highlights the complexities of ethical governance and the scrutiny faced by public officials in Nevada.

The Nevada Independent