Commission dismisses certain complaints and reinstates deferral in Ree matters after review and new evidence

The Nevada Commission on Ethics dismissed two complaints involving Reno City Council member Devin/Devon (transcript spells both) Ree after an investigation and discovery produced corroborating evidence that the travel and reimbursements questioned involved city business.

Executive Director Ross Armstrong told commissioners that, following additional documentation and depositions (including the city manager and other third‑party corroboration), he concluded there was not sufficient evidence to prove an unwarranted benefit by a preponderance of the evidence and recommended dismissal of the matters (complaints 24‑036C and 24‑050C).

Counsel for Ree thanked the commission and characterized the dismissal as avoiding unnecessary litigation and taxpayer expense. The commission voted to accept the dismissal after discussion; the recorded vote on the dismissal was 4 in favor, 2 opposed.

Separately, the commission considered a related matter (22‑104C) in which a prior deferral agreement had been revoked. Parties agreed to reinstate the deferral retroactively and the commission unanimously approved reinstatement and dismissal consistent with that agreement; the executive director reported Ree had complied with the deferral’s requirements (training, conflict‑checking measures and submission of meeting minutes).

Ree addressed the commission during public comment after the votes, saying the dismissals confirmed his innocence and sharply criticizing the public and media discourse around the complaints. He also said he intends to raise issues with the State Bar regarding how the matters were pursued. Commissioners and other attendees offered differing reactions on the record, with several praising the executive director’s professionalism and calling for process improvements and legislative clarifications.