The Nevada Commission on Ethics on Oct. 16 approved a stipulated deferral agreement in complaint number 24‑027C concerning Kelvin Watson, executive director of the Las Vegas–Clark County Library District, after an investigation found he accepted Super Bowl tickets valued at roughly $8,600 and used them personally.

Executive Director Ross Armstrong summarized the investigation: "The investigation determined a number of facts, including that Watson was engaged with the National Football League Foundation in activities that were beneficial to both the NFL and to the library district, that the average Super Bowl tickets for that Super Bowl were valued at $8,600, that Watson accepted the gift, and used the gift for himself attending the Super Bowl." Armstrong said a central mitigating fact was that Watson sought advice from his agency counsel before accepting the tickets and followed that advice.

Why it matters: the commission noted the ethics statute contains a safe‑harbor provision when a public official seeks and follows agency counsel’s advice. Under that framework, the commission has limited authority and, in this case, the agreed resolution is a deferral rather than a finding of an actionable willful violation.

Terms the executive director read into the record include a one‑year deferral period during which Watson must comply with the ethics law and avoid being the subject of a review‑panel‑referable complaint; the agreement also requires Watson to arrange and implement ethics training for himself and library district staff and to work with the library board on policy amendments, including a district gift limit. Armstrong said Watson has already inquired about training options. If Watson meets the deferral requirements, the alleged violation will be dismissed.

Attorney Scott Abbott, representing Watson, told the commission he appreciated the cooperation in reaching the resolution: "I really appreciate all of the hard work from Executive Director Armstrong and Commission Counsel Bassett and Commissioner Yin, who assisted us in trying to achieve this resolution." Commissioner commentary cautioned public employees against accepting high‑value event tickets as a general practice, while noting the specific facts—advice of counsel and the library district’s limited regulatory authority over the NFL—mitigated risk in this case.

Commissioners voted to accept the stipulated deferral and directed commission counsel to finalize the agreement in legal form. The motion passed unanimously.