Robert Telles, a Democrat politician from Las Vegas, Nevada, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Jeff German, a 69-year-old investigative journalist whose reporting exposed corruption within Telles’ office. German was brutally stabbed outside his home on September 2, 2022, after publishing a series of articles detailing misconduct in Telles’ administration.
German’s investigative work had uncovered serious allegations, including bullying, retaliation, and favoritism in exchange for sexual favors. Despite these revelations, many media outlets like Axios, ABC, AP, and CBS chose to describe Telles in their headlines merely as an “ex-politician” or “former Las Vegas official,” often omitting his Democratic affiliation.
Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson underscored the significance of the case, stating, “Today’s verdict should send a clear message that any attempts to silence the media, or to silence or intimidate a journalist, will not be tolerated.”
During the trial, Telles, who is also a lawyer, claimed that he was framed by disgruntled staff members as a result of his efforts to root out corruption. However, the court found these claims unconvincing, and the jury convicted Telles of first-degree murder.
German’s family honored his memory, describing him as the “older brother that we all leaned on” and praising his dedication to journalism. They highlighted his decision to remain in Las Vegas, a city known for its deep-seated corruption, to continue his work where it was needed most.
Telles will be eligible for parole after serving 20 years of his life sentence, but the conviction serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by journalists who hold powerful individuals accountable. The case also raises questions about how the media covers politically charged crimes, particularly when it comes to identifying the political affiliations of those involved.
