A big housing project near Red Rock Canyon is finally moving forward after years of delays, lawsuits, and political games.
But behind the scenes, a serious scandal has been unfolding – one that should concern every Nevadan who believes in property rights, honest government, and fair play.
Developer Jim Rhodes has owned land atop Blue Diamond Hill for over 20 years. His plan? Turn an old gypsum mine into a quiet, upscale community with homes, shops, and open space.
It’s not some cookie-cutter sprawl. The land’s already been disturbed from decades of mining. And Rhodes worked with planners to reduce the number of homes from over 5,000 to 3,500, with plenty of room in between.
But that didn’t stop a group of activists – and some politicians – from doing everything they could to block it.
The Justin Jones Affair
At the center of it all is Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones, a former attorney for the environmental group Save Red Rock.
Back when Rhodes was trying to get approval for the project, Jones and other county officials added a rule that made it almost impossible to move forward.
They said Rhodes had to get a federal permit from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) before even submitting his plans – something no other developer had to do.
As detailed in a series of reports I published on Muth’s Truths, this was a setup.
It was meant to stall and kill the project. The land was already privately owned. The mine was legal. But local officials worked behind the scenes to block development anyway.
Then came the deleted text messages.
In a lawsuit filed by Rhodes’ company, Gypsum Resources, the developer accused the county – and Jones in particular – of purposely delaying the project and covering their tracks.
During discovery, it was revealed that Jones had deleted texts related to the case after being told to preserve them.
A federal magistrate judge found that Jones “acted in bad faith” and “intentionally destroyed evidence.”
When asked about the texts in court, Jones claimed, “I don’t recall.”
Over and over again.
The judge didn’t buy it and neither did the public.
An $80 Million Settlement
After years of legal wrangling, the county finally settled with Gypsum Resources last year.
The deal cost taxpayers $80 million and gave the county an option to buy 190 acres of land for just $1.
The land sits near the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and hadn’t been mined. County officials also approved the scaled-back plan for 3,500 homes.
As I pointed out at the time, this wasn’t just about a housing project. It was about the abuse of government power.
“If a county commissioner can get away with something like this,” I wrote, “then no property owner is safe.”
What Happens Next
This May, the Clark County Planning Commission gave final approval to the first phase of the project – about 830 acres with more than 1,000 homes.
Project manager Ron Krater said construction could begin later this year, with most of the work underway by 2026.
A 4.5-mile access road is also in the works, designed to keep traffic away from the scenic route through Red Rock.
The homes will include custom lots and high-end neighborhoods. The first phase also includes space for restaurants and a small market.
“This has been a long time coming,” Krater told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “There are a lot of wins for the community.”
What Critics Say
Environmental activists still oppose the project, saying it’s too close to Red Rock and could bring traffic and noise to the area.
But it’s worth remembering: this land isn’t untouched desert. It’s a former mine, not a nature preserve.
And with the county getting land near the conservation area in return, even some skeptics are starting to admit this might be a fair compromise.
Why It Matters
For conservatives, this story hits home.
A private landowner tried to build on his own property. Unelected bureaucrats and activist politicians tried to stop him. They bent the rules, destroyed evidence, and got caught.
In the end, justice mostly won out. But it cost taxpayers a fortune and it never should’ve happened in the first place.
If we want to keep Nevada free, fair, and open for business, it’s time to demand better from our elected leaders.
And it’s time to start holding people like Justin Jones, who’s up for re-election next year, accountable.
