Six candidates — three Democrats and three Republicans — are vying in the June primary election for the position of Clark County public administrator, a post that has been dogged over the years by incompetence and scandal. The dysfunction culminated in 2022 when Public Administrator Robert Telles murdered Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German over newspaper stories exposing a toxic environment and inappropriate behavior in the office.
The office performs an important function: managing the property of local residents who pass away without known heirs or a will. Clark County taxpayers deserve an administrator who will conduct the office’s business in a fair and impartial manner that respects the rights of all those involved. In that regard, let’s hope that Democratic voters do more than offer only casual attention to this down-ballot race.
Among the Democratic hopefuls seeking to move on to the general election is one Marlin “M.J.” Ivy. His background raises troubling questions about his character and should trigger red flags for any conscientious voter.
The Review-Journal’s Katelyn Newberg reported Sunday that Ivy was initially convicted by a jury in 2014 of felony battery with a deadly weapon involving a dispute at a porno store, but the result was later overturned on a technicality by the Nevada Court of Appeals and sent back to District Court. During the trial, Ivy was serving time for two attempted robbery convictions, according to court records.
At his 2014 sentencing hearing, Ms. Newberg found, the prosecutor revealed that Ivy was no stranger to brushes with the law. He was convicted in 1998 of a misdemeanor involving assault of a law enforcement officer, and in 2005 he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery after initially being charged with a felony.
The questions surrounding Ivy’s fitness for the office also include recent allegations. Ms. Newberg reported that “a man filed a police report in March alleging that Ivy threatened to break his wrists.” Ivy denies the charge.
Ivy has had short stints in various government positions but apparently has no real background that would qualify him to serve as public administrator. According to Clark County officials, he spent 76 hours over six weeks working part time for the office as an administrator and investigator. But that hardly represents the experience necessary to lead the department.
Outside of the pending case involving the recent threat allegation, Ivy has apparently paid his dues and done what the courts required. But when Clark County Democrats cast their primary ballots in the public administrator race — early voting starts May 23 — they’ll have to ask themselves whether someone with Ivy’s past should hold a position of public trust. Let’s hope they act accordingly.
