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- calendar_today October 28, 2026
Audit Finds Clark County Public Administrator's Office Plagued by 'High Risk' Issues
A new audit has identified multiple "high risk" management and security concerns within the Clark County Public Administrator’s Office, a department tasked with handling the estates of individuals who die without next of kin. The findings highlight large case backlogs, issues with unremitted fees, and a pattern of unresolved operational problems.
Key Audit Findings: Open Cases and Unremitted Fees
The audit reveals that the office is currently managing almost 1,900 open cases. Additionally, auditors found $623,000 in service fees collected by the department that have not been handed over to Clark County. The department stopped forwarding these fees in February 2024, a decision not explained in the audit, despite processing fees being necessary for the county’s budget.
Backlog and Delays in Estate Management
With a staff of 29 and an annual $2.5 million budget, the office remains overwhelmed. The audit showed that, while 1,808 cases were closed over a two-year review period (averaging 532 days per case), 59 percent of all recorded cases have been open for over two years. Notably, 315 cases have remained open for over five years, and 34 have persisted for more than a decade. The audit recommended closing cases within two years, but the actual timeline is significantly longer for a majority of estates.
Cremated Remains, Vehicles, and Property Storage Issues
The department currently holds over 4,500 personal belongings from estates, including high-value items such as firearms and jewelry. There are also more than 147 vehicles in its possession, some unsold for over three years, contributing to storage overcrowding. Additionally, the office holds 105 human cremated remains and six pet cremains. More than half of these remains are at least three years old, and six are over a decade old. The county's crypt is at capacity, preventing proper disposition and further contributing to the backlog of open cases.
Security Lapses and Mishandled Assets
Several incidents were noted where property security was compromised. The audit highlighted regular failures to conduct timely follow-up visits to decedents’ homes, resulting in missing or compromised assets—including a case where a car disappeared. Unauthorized individuals, including non-county staff, accessed inventory areas where deceased persons’ belongings are stored. Weaknesses in security oversight mean vault technicians with both access and record-editing privileges could modify records without supervision, raising risks of undetected theft.
Department Leadership and Calls for Reform
This audit arrives amidst lingering controversy. The department’s recent history includes high-profile turmoil: former Public Administrator Robert Telles murdered journalist Jeff German in 2022 following German’s investigation into Telles’ conduct, which included allegations of bullying, favoritism, and an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate. Interim administrator Mike Murphy—who took the helm in the wake of Telles’ arrest—told auditors that many current issues date back to Telles’ leadership.
Murphy, a Republican, is now running for the position against Democrat Stephanie Itkin-Goodman, a deputy attorney general. Both candidates voiced concerns about the audit and proposed reforms. Murphy views the audit as a roadmap for improvements, acknowledging limitations during his interim tenure. Itkin-Goodman criticized Murphy’s past involvement, emphasizing a need for independent leadership and fundamental reform. Both advocated for increased security, with Murphy suggesting body cameras and Itkin-Goodman calling the current state a "failure."
Next Steps for the Public Administrator Office
The Clark County Audit Committee is scheduled to finalize this audit at its upcoming meeting. Auditors had requested a formal response and corrective action plan from the public administrator’s office but had not received one as of October 22. Current public administrator Rita Page Reid, who is not seeking re-election, declined to comment on the report.
Source: thenevadaindependent.com.
