Commission rejects settlement with governor’s energy director over Golden Knights tickets

The Nevada Commission on Ethics voted on April 10, 2025, to reject a proposed stipulated agreement resolving complaint 24-168C concerning Dwayne McClinton, director of the Governor’s Office of Energy. The commission’s action followed extended discussion over the value of two Golden Knights game tickets McClinton accepted and whether repayment should include an additional fine.

Executive Director Ross Armstrong said the commission’s investigation—initiated on the commission’s own motion in October—found evidence supporting a willful violation of the statutory prohibition on gifts, and that the proposed agreement would have required McClinton to repay the estimated value of one ticket, receive training for himself and staff within 60 days, and accept an admonishment. Armstrong summarized the settlement terms: "Mr. McClinton will agree to a willful violation of 400 subsection 1, which is our prohibition against gifts... He agrees to pay back the estimated value of the ticket he had, which was $450 and that he will ensure that he gets training for himself and staff within 60 days."

Chief Deputy Attorney General Greg Ott, representing McClinton, said his client believed the tickets had lower value and that McClinton attended to evaluate a potential partnership between his agency and the team. Ott told the commission that his office examined whether the director’s actions were within the course and scope of duties and that McClinton "believes that there was an agency interest in partnering" but acknowledged the settlement reflected that the director "understands this was not the proper way to get the information that he legitimately needed."

Commissioners debated precedents and penalties. Some members argued the reimbursement should cover both tickets and that a fine should accompany repayment; Commissioner Reynolds recommended a $1,000 fine as consistent with prior enforcement in similar cases, while other commissioners noted settlement negotiations and precedent differences. Armstrong told the commission staff had determined the estimated ticket cost at about $450 per ticket; Ott said his office valued each ticket at $100 to $200. Commissioners discussed a factual timeline provided in the investigation: the Golden Knights notified McClinton on Feb. 21 that two tickets were forthcoming, McClinton attended the game March 9, and an email with general sponsorship-cost information arrived March 22. Armstrong added that no funds were ever transferred from the governor’s office to the Golden Knights.

A motion to approve the settlement failed for lack of a second. A subsequent motion to reject the proposed stipulated agreement carried; the meeting record shows Commissioners Wallen and Moran abstained because they had served on the review panel, and the rejection passed with the remaining commissioners voting to reject and directing staff and counsel to attempt renegotiation with the parties. Armstrong and opposing counsel indicated they would continue good-faith talks; if renegotiation fails, the matter would proceed to a full hearing.