The Nevada Ethics Commission dismissed a complaint lodged against Assemblywoman Michelle Gorelow regarding her vote to allocate $250,000 to a nonprofit organization that hired her after it found no evidence of impropriety or misuse of her position.
Filed in August, the complaint alleged that Gorelow leveraged her legislative position to secure employment with The Arc of Nevada, a nonprofit aiding individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Gorelow was appointed the organization’s executive director just one month after the legislative session concluded.
Despite the allegations, a three-member panel unanimously ruled that Gorelow did not exploit her legislative role to pursue private employment nor utilized government resources for personal gain. Additionally, the panel concluded that her acceptance of the position did not compromise her impartial discharge of public duties.
In response to the dismissal, Gorelow expressed relief, denouncing the complaint as baseless and politically motivated. Her attorney, Bradley Schrager, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing her adherence to ethical standards throughout the process.
Gorelow’s case is part of a broader controversy surrounding legislative ties to nonprofits benefiting from state funding. Referred to as “Christmas tree bills,” the legislation allocated millions to numerous nonprofits and governmental entities. Gorelow, in her defense, provided evidence demonstrating that her job interview with The Arc of Nevada occurred after the legislative session concluded and affirmed no prior communication with the organization.
While the Nevada Ethics Commission lacks authority over core legislative functions, it maintains jurisdiction over non-core actions, thereby permitting an investigation into Gorelow’s case. Executive Director Ross Armstrong conducted interviews and reviewed documents as part of the inquiry.
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