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Nevada ethics commission finds willful violation by state energy director over accepted NHL tickets; $1,000 fine and training required
Summary
The Commission on Ethics approved a stipulated agreement June 18, 2025, finding Duane McClinton, director of the Governor’s Office of Energy, committed a willful ethics violation after receiving two Las Vegas Golden Knights tickets. The agreement includes a $1,000 penalty, a required training course and a formal admonishment.
The Nevada Commission on Ethics on June 18 approved a stipulated agreement concluding that Duane McClinton, director of the Governor’s Office of Energy, committed a willful violation of the state ethics law after receiving two Las Vegas Golden Knights tickets.
Executive Director Ross Armstrong told commissioners the Golden Knights confirmed they valued the two tickets at $350 each. After the commission declined a prior proposed stipulation at an earlier meeting, the parties renegotiated terms and returned with an agreement that includes a $1,000 monetary penalty, commission admonishment and a requirement that McClinton complete training approved by the executive director.
“This agreement comes before you… the agreement is one willful violation of [the cited ethics provision],” Armstrong said. He told commissioners the commission sought to match the value of what was received and to add a deterrent penalty; the new agreement reflects that approach and recognizes this is Director McClinton’s first ethics violation with the commission.
Nicole Ting of the attorney general’s office, representing McClinton in his absence, told the commission that McClinton believed attending the game was related to assessing a possible sponsorship opportunity and that no funds were transferred. “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. “He now understands what he did wrong and will not do it in the future.”
Commissioner Terry Reynolds moved to approve the stipulation; Commissioner Sam Lowry seconded. The commission approved the agreement unanimously among participating commissioners.
Armstrong noted that a willful finding marks a first strike for McClinton before the commission, and the stipulated disposition begins that administrative record. The agreement requires McClinton to pay the fine, complete the training directed by the executive director and accept a formal admonishment from the commission.
The commission did not announce any additional enforcement beyond the stipulated administrative resolution. The matter was recorded as case 24168C.
