Nevada Democratic Assemblywoman Elaine Marzola is under investigation after allegations came to light that her legal actions and campaign donations from defendants in her lawsuits may pose a conflict of interest.
The Nevada Bar Association confirmed that the inquiry follows a formal complaint related to Marzola’s receipt of campaign donations while representing plaintiffs in lawsuits against prominent members of the Nevada Resorts Association.
Marzola received $22,500 in campaign contributions from the Nevada Resorts PAC and MGM Resorts International while actively representing plaintiffs in lawsuits against several members of the Nevada Resorts Association, including MGM properties. According to the Nevada Bar Association, Marzola’s involvement in accepting campaign donations and pursuing legal actions against defendants tied to those donations could pose a conflict of interest if the arrangement was not disclosed to her clients.
Since May 2022, Marzola has represented plaintiffs in lawsuits against Nevada resort properties, including Wynn Las Vegas, Caesars Entertainment, Mandalay Bay, New York-New York Hotel & Casino, and Aria Resort & Casino Holdings. The entities are members of the Nevada Resorts Association, which launched the Nevada Resorts PAC in early 2022, shortly before Marzola began receiving donations.
The connection between Marzola’s legal cases and her campaign donations from these entities has drawn further scrutiny. Of five cases involving Marzola, three were dismissed, while two remain active.
The active cases are Linda Diana v. Wynn Las Vegas and Glen Hutsell v. Mandalay Bay. The other three cases, including a high-profile “slip and fall” lawsuit against Aria Resort & Casino Holdings, were dismissed, with the Aria case dropped with prejudice in May 2024.
A particularly concerning detail involves the timing of Marzola’s donation from MGM Resorts International. In her lawsuit against Aria, which also named MGM a defendant, Marzola accepted a donation from MGM just two days after a short-trial discovery offer.
Further complicating matters, Ellen Whittemore, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Wynn Las Vegas, also serves as the Nevada Resorts Association’s Chair. Whittemore’s dual role as a lead lawyer for one of Marzola’s defendants and chair of the organization donating to Marzola’s campaign has raised additional ethical questions.
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