Reno attorney Jason Guinasso is obsessed with Nevada’s legal brothels – and tells more tall tales than Paul Bunyan.
His latest work of fiction comes in a trainwreck of an “opinion” piece published by the Nevada Independent comparing legal brothel owners Dennis Hof (deceased) and Lance Gilman to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking ring.
Yes, really. That’s the level of thinking we’re dealing with here.
But hang on — before anyone grabs a torch and a pitchfork based on Guinasso’s dramatic claims — let’s take a deep breath, roll up our sleeves, and look at some good old-fashioned facts.
Because the truth is, this guy has been making the same tired accusations for years. And guess what?
He’s lost. Every. Single. Time.
Let’s walk through it, plain and simple.
Guinasso’s Epstein Comparison is a Disgraceful, Clickbait Stunt
In what can only be described as a cheap grab for attention, Guinasso tries to tie Nevada’s legal, licensed, and regulated brothels to one of the most notorious criminal sex-trafficking operations in history.
It’s not just dishonest — it’s offensive.
Comparing licensed sex workers who choose to work in legal brothels to underage girls trafficked by Epstein is like comparing a professional food truck chef to someone cooking meth in a basement.
One is regulated, taxed, health-checked, and consensual. The other is a crime scene.
And what does Guinasso base this comparison on?
Feelings and moral proselytizing. Not facts.
Hof Wasn’t Just a “Candidate” — He Was Elected
Let’s clear this up: Dennis Hof WON his Assembly seat in 2018.
Yes, he passed away just before the election. But he still won. With 62 percent of the vote!
That’s not opinion — it’s official Nevada state election history.
So for Guinasso to refer to Hof like he was just some fringe candidate chasing attention is revisionist history, plain and simple.
The voters spoke — even if it made the establishment uncomfortable.
Hof and Gilman’s Brothels Are 100% Legal
What part of “licensed and regulated” is Guinasso struggling with?
Mr. Gilman’s Mustang Ranch and other legal brothels operate under state law, pass health inspections, pay taxes, and follow strict licensing rules.
There is nothing underground, illegal, or shady about their existence.
They’re as legal as the DMV – where many also feel they’re getting “screwed” — just a lot more pleasant to visit.
The Women Aren’t Victims. They’re Workers. Voluntary Ones.
Guinasso loves to use words like “trafficking,” “slavery,” and “coercion.”
But when you look at the actual statements from many women who work in these brothels, a different picture emerges.
They talk about freedom. Safety. Autonomy. Income. Control.
These aren’t chained-up victims. These are adults making adult decisions — and for some reason, that drives Guinasso absolutely nuts.
Why? Who knows.
Maybe it’s some puritan crusade. Maybe it’s ego. Maybe it’s for the money.
But it’s not facts.
Lawsuits ≠ Proof
Yes, Guinasso has filed lawsuits claiming trafficking, rape, coercion, and all sorts of horror stories.
And those lawsuits?
He hasn’t won a single one.
Courts have dismissed his claims for lack of standing, lack of evidence, and even procedural garbage like overloading filings with salacious gossip instead of real legal arguments.
A federal judge dismissed one of his headline-making suits in 2019. The court basically said: You don’t have a case here.
Another lawsuit (filed on behalf of “Jane Doe”) was filled with “tabloid-style” material that the judge told him to rewrite and tone down.
Why? Because it was more like a smear campaign than a serious legal filing.
Guinasso throws lawsuits around like confetti.
And like confetti, they make a mess and do absolutely nothing productive.
Let’s Talk About the Accusers
Many of the women making the most serious claims against brothel owners?
They’re not exactly coming from a place of objectivity.
Take Jennifer O’Kane, for example — a former brothel owner herself and someone with a long-standing beef with Hof.
She accused Hof of rape — FIVE YEARS after the alleged incident (while she continued to work for him) — and conveniently right before his election.
Police investigated. Found no evidence. The DA dropped it.
Even a rape crisis advocate, Jody Williams of Sex Workers Anonymous, initially believed her — until O’Kane changed her story three times and couldn’t provide basic proof like police reports, case numbers, or even the name of a therapist she supposedly saw.
Williams ended up issuing a cease-and-desist to keep O’Kane from throwing her name around in more made-up nonsense.
Does that sound like the “clear victim” Guinasso wants you to picture?
Guinasso’s “Survivors” Are Often Just Disgruntled Ex-Employees
Look, no one is saying every former brothel worker is lying.
But some of them clearly have axes to grind, especially when they left under bad circumstances — or were booted out for breaking the rules.
It’s not a wild conspiracy theory to suggest that some might exaggerate or outright fabricate stories to settle scores.
Examples of false accusations are legion. Remember the Duke lacrosse team case?
So unless these stories are investigated, cross-examined, and proven, they should be taken with a whole shaker of salt — not treated like gospel truth.
Where Are the Convictions?
If what Guinasso claims were true — if legal brothels were just trafficking hubs dressed up as “businesses” — wouldn’t there be arrests? Charges? Trials? Convictions?
But there aren’t.
Why?
Because law enforcement has looked into these allegations. And they found no evidence to support them.
Calling Gilman a “State-Sanctioned Trafficker” is Libel, Pure and Simple
Let’s be real — calling someone a “trafficker” without evidence isn’t advocacy. It’s defamation.
Mr. Gilman operates under state law. He holds a business license. He passed all the background checks. He even served as a county commissioner.
Disagree with the business model all you want. But accusing someone of felony criminal behavior without proof is how you get hit with a libel suit.
And maybe Guinasso should.
Ending Legal Prostitution Makes Sex Work MORE Dangerous, Not Less
If Jason gets his way and shuts down Nevada’s brothels, prostitution isn’t going to vanish into thin air.
It’s just going to move underground.
That means no health checks. No legal protections. No security. No oversight. And no one for women to turn to when things go sideways.
In other words, Jason’s plan would make sex work more dangerous for the very women he claims to care about.
That’s not progress. That’s a public health disaster waiting to happen.
Guinasso’s Own Behavior Deserves Scrutiny
While Guinasso is busy moralizing, maybe he should look in the mirror.
Multiple sources — including brothel workers, attorneys, and Nevada press — have criticized him for:
* Trying to dig up and use sex workers’ personal medical records and employment files without their consent.
* Launching aggressive smear campaigns against anyone who opposes him.
* Using court filings as public relations weapons, instead of pursuing real justice.
This isn’t a guy calmly trying to help victims. This is a political crusader who’s willing to twist facts and use the court system like a wrecking ball.
In addition, a formal bar complaint alleged conflicts of interest and gross misconduct related to Guinasso representing recall committees against clients he previously represented as legal counsel for the Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID).
This involved accusations of violating professional conduct rules including conflict of interest and duties to former clients.
Guinasso continues to face criticism for his legal counsel role with IVGID, including accusations of incompetence by some community members and controversial management of public records requests and union negotiations.
There were also allegations that under his direction, IVGID illegally withheld government records from the public.
Nevada Has a “Live and Let Live” Attitude — and That’s What He Can’t Stand
Nevada is unique. It’s not for everyone.
But the people here believe in something bigger than politics:
Freedom.
Freedom to make adult choices. Freedom to run a business. Freedom to work legally in a way that suits your life.
Guinasso wants to blow all that up because he doesn’t personally approve.
But guess what?
This isn’t his Nevada. It belongs to all of us.
And if he doesn’t like how things work here, maybe he should move to a state that shares his values. Utah comes to mind.
Bottom Line: Guinasso’s Crusade is Built on Sand
His lawsuits keep getting tossed.
His “evidence” keeps unraveling.
His sources are weak, biased, or outright contradicted by law enforcement.
And his proposed solution — banning legal prostitution — would hurt the very people he claims to defend.
So no, Jason. Nevada’s brothels are not Epstein 2.0.
They’re legal businesses employing consenting adults, regulated by the state, and protected by the law.
It’s time to stop pretending otherwise.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
