The Nevada Commission on Ethics has advanced a formal complaint against Attorney General Aaron Ford, moving the matter to the full commission for further review following a preliminary finding of sufficient evidence to proceed.
The complaint, initiated by the commission and authored or contributed to by its Executive Director Ross Armstrong, alleges that Ford improperly used his public office to benefit his private interests. Specifically, it centers on more than $35,000 in travel described in the complaint as “luxury” trips funded or facilitated by the Attorney General Alliance (AGA), an organization largely supported by corporate donations.
According to the complaint, some corporate funders of the AGA are entities that the Nevada Attorney General’s Office regulates or has litigation against, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
The ethics panel has been examining Ford’s travel-related activities for at least 10 months. A review panel recently voted to advance the complaint to the full commission, which now has up to 60 days to issue a ruling.
The complaint alleges potential violations of multiple sections of Nevada’s ethics law, including the misuse of a government position for personal gain, improper acceptance of gifts, the use of government resources for personal benefit, and the influence of subordinates.
Disclosure reports filed by Ford for 2023 and 2024 detail international travel to destinations including South Africa, Poland, Israel, and South Korea. The trips were to conferences and events addressing topics such as artificial intelligence, intellectual property, antisemitism, and Palestinian issues, some in connection with the Attorney General Alliance.
Separately, a Las Vegas Review-Journal investigation reported that Ford spent 137 days out of state in 2024. His campaign finance reports show more than $82,000 in travel expenses paid by campaign funds that year. Ford has also traveled to countries including France, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan, and Qatar.
Ford and his campaign have denied wrongdoing and characterized the complaints as politically motivated. A spokesperson previously noted that some complainants are Republican. Ford has stated his travel was related to his role as chairman of the Attorney General Alliance, with no state taxpayer funds used for his out-of-state trips.
The Attorney General Alliance referenced in the complaint is a bipartisan organization of state attorneys general and should not be confused with the American Gaming Association.
If the full commission finds that Ford willfully violated state ethics law, he could face fines or other penalties. The commission’s decision is expected within 60 days and could have political implications as Ford prepares for a 2026 gubernatorial campaign.
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