Candidates Jim Wheeler and Blaine Osborn with Sheriffs Dan Coverley and Ron Pierini at an April 21 rally for Adam Laxalt at the Douglas County Community & Senior Center in Gardnerville.
Douglas County Sheriff Dan Coverley has admitted violating state law by appearing in uniform at a political endorsement rally.
The Nevada Ethics Commission accepted his stipulated agreement admitting the violation on Wednesday.
“In an article from March 1, 2022, by KUNR Public Radio, Coverley appears in his full uniform at a podium with (U.S. Senate candidate Adam) Laxalt along with other members of the Constitutional Sheriff’s and Peace Officers Association,” the agreement said. “In his response, Coverley takes full responsibility for his actions and admits that he did not review the statute prior to wearing his uniform to a political endorsement event and agrees that he is prohibited from doing so pursuant to NRS 281A 400(7).”
“Coverley’s actions constitute a single course of conduct resulting in one violation of the Ethics Law,” according to the stipulation.
But the Ethics Commission ruled the violation a “non-willful violation” and declined to impose a fine on the sheriff. Coverley agreed to not wear his uniform in a political event in the future. He also agreed to schedule ethics law training with the director of the Ethics Commission for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office within 120 days to ensure that he and the department don’t use governmental time, property, equipment, or other facility to benefit his personal interests