Former Democratic candidate Robert Telles arrested for murder of Las Vegas reporter Jeff German

Clark County Democratic Public Administrator Robert Telles was arrested on suspicion of murder Wednesday in the fatal stabbing of Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German.

According to that media outlet's report, an investigation by German into the 45-year-old politician contributed to his defeat in the previous June primary election, and even after, the reporter was looking for a follow-up story about the administrator in the weeks leading up to his death.

Prior to her murder, German had requested public records of emails and text messages between Telles and three other county officials: deputy public administrator Rita Reid, estate coordinator Roberta Lee-Kennett and consultant Michael Murphy.

Lee-Kennett was allegedly involved in an "inappropriate relationship" with Telles.

German, 69, was found dead Saturday morning outside his home in northwest Las Vegas.

Does the @LVRJ know that @JGermanRJ may be doing double duty on their dime? Do they know he basically made a veiled threat to make me take down my site with the truth after I already lost the election? #LasVegas pic.twitter.com/9H2szMAGtV

— Rob Telles (@RobTellesLV) June 17, 2022

Las Vegas police raided Telles' home Wednesday morning and closed nearby streets on Spanish Steps Lane.

Then Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo told the Review-Journal around 6:30 p.m. that Telles had been taken into custody.

“The arrest of Robert Telles is at once an enormous relief and an outrage for the Review-Journal newsroom,” Executive Editor Glenn Cook said. “We are relieved Telles is in custody and outraged that a colleague appears to have been killed for reporting on an elected official. Journalists can’t do the important work our communities require if they are afraid a presentation of facts could lead to violent retribution. We thank Las Vegas police for their urgency and hard work and for immediately recognizing the terrible significance of Jeff’s killing. Now, hopefully, the Review-Journal, the German family and Jeff’s many friends can begin the process of mourning and honoring a great man and a brave reporter.”, said Executive-editor Glenn Cook.

Las Vegas Justice Court records indicate that Telles has an initial appearance scheduled for this Thursday afternoon. Who is Robert Telles, the Democratic politician accused of murder?

A Fox 5 Las Vegas report revealed that attorney Robert Telles graduated from UNLV Boyd School of Law in 2014. A year later he founded Accolade Law, a firm specializing in estate planning and inheritance, according to his LinkedIn page.

In 2018 Telles won the Clark County public administrator's seat as a Democrat, a position he took office in 2019 and finishes in January 2023.

He is married and has three children. He has lived in Clark County for more than 20 years.

According to his campaign website, Telles is a "Mexican-American with blue-collar roots that shaped him on principles of diversity, equality and fairness."

Telles lost his re-election bid to Rita Reid in the Democratic primary last year. Reid said at one stage that Telles had created "a toxic work environment and engaged in questionable behavior with a female subordinate."

Telles responded on his Twitter feed that the allegations were false.