Felony Ethics Complaint Filed Against Speaker-in-waiting Oceguera and Democrat Caucus

(NN&V Staff) – John Oceguera, widely considered to be the next Speaker of the State Assembly has violated Nevada law and today was hit with a Felony Ethics Complaint involving concealment of campaign contributions by the newly established Organized Labor Party of Nevada.

Oceguera and the Assembly Democrat Caucus are accused of accepting money during a legally restricted blackout period, violating Nevada campaign finance limits and concealing more than $210,000 in political contributions from the public.

The Ethics Complaint includes a number of specific examples of violation of Nevada statutes including more than $17,000 in accepted contributions during a period in which legislators and legislative caucuses are prohibited from accepting contributions during periods of legislative activity.

This statute was enacted to protect against legislators receiving contributions in exchange for access or votes during a legislative session. Just weeks ago, Nevada Senate Majority Leader and fellow Democrat Steven Horsford made national news and brought embarrassment upon the state by soliciting high-dollar contributions in exchange for access to legislators.

Violations of NRS 294A.100 are particularly egregious stating that “A person who willfully violates any provision of this section is guilty of a category E felony.” Oceguera is the unquestioned leader of the Assembly Democratic Caucus and bears responsibility for both its financial dealings and those of his own campaign committee.

“Assemblyman Oceguera and his political committees concealed more than $210,000 in political contributions, a number of which were accepted during a legislative blackout period designed to protect the people of Nevada from undue influence during a legislative session”, said Dan Burdish. “Oceguera votes on the very laws that govern this kind of behavior and cavalierly worked with his caucus members and campaign accounts to conceal close to a quarter of a million dollars from voters”.

The Ethics Complaint, filed on Friday, includes more than sixty pages of exhibits and information identifying the specific violations of law and concealment of funds. The complaint was also sent to Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto and Secretary of State Ross Miller, both of whom are partisan Democrats but are sworn to uphold the law regardless of partisan bias. The Organized Labor Party expects that this matter will be investigated based on its considerable merits regardless of partisan ambition and has pledged to be vigilant in monitoring the process through completion.

“Nevada deserves better than willful violations of state law and hiding money from voters”, continued Burdish. “This is one fire that John Oceguera can’t put out with political double-talk and loads of campaign cash”.