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Commission imposes fine and training for state energy director over two hockey tickets
Summary
The Commission on Ethics approved a stipulated agreement finding State Office of Energy Director Blaine McClinton committed a willful violation related to two hockey tickets; the settlement includes a monetary penalty and required training, the commission said.
The Nevada Commission on Ethics on June 18 approved a stipulated agreement finding Blaine McClinton, director of the Governor’s Office of Energy, committed a willful violation of the ethics law for accepting two Las Vegas Golden Knights tickets, Executive Director Ross Armstrong said.
Armstrong told commissioners the parties reconvened after the commission declined a previous stipulation at an earlier meeting and negotiated a new settlement that included a monetary penalty. He said the parties confirmed the market value of each ticket at $350.
"This agreement provides for a willful violation of NRS 281A.400(1), a monetary penalty and required training," Armstrong said. In the revised stipulation, Armstrong said, the settlement imposes a $1,000 penalty and requires McClinton to complete training approved by the executive director; the agreement also includes a commission admonishment.
Nicole Ting of the Nevada Attorney General's Office, appearing for the respondent, told the commission McClinton believed he attended the game to evaluate a possible sponsorship by the team and that no money was transferred in sponsorship negotiations. "He truly believed that he was going to the game in order to see what the Knights could bring into a potential sponsorship," Ting said, and added that McClinton now understands the conduct was improper.
Armstrong noted this is McClinton’s first ethics matter on record before the commission. He also explained the commission sought a deterrent component in the settlement in addition to the value of the tickets.
Commissioner Reynolds moved to approve the stipulation; Commissioner Lowry seconded. The commission approved the agreement unanimously among participating members.
The record identifies the matter as ethics complaint case number 24168C. The stipulation as presented imposes a monetary penalty and training; the commission did not direct additional administrative penalties beyond those terms.
