Ford: Lombardo ‘absolutely abused’ authority during traffic stop

Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, said Thursday that Gov. Joe Lombardo should not have invoked his office during a Las Vegas traffic stop earlier this year. Lombardo, a Republican seeking a second term against Ford, was pulled over by the Metropolitan Police Department on May 15 for a suspected red‑light violation, but he was allowed to leave without a citation, according to body‑camera footage. “That bodycam footage conscionably demonstrates what we already know,” Ford said at a campaign rally in Las Vegas. “He perfectly abused his authority, invoking his sanction so that he did not even get a warning allowed to be provided by the officer.” Lombardo’s campaign spokeswoman, Elizabeth Ray, could not be reached for immediate comment. Ford echoed Sheriff Kevin McMahill, who said Wednesday that the officer who stopped Lombardo had discretion not to issue a citation. In the video from the stop, which took place near Mandalay Bay, Lombardo can be heard interrupting the officer and giving his name. Lombardo is the former Clark County sheriff. The footage shows a sergeant approaching Lombardo’s vehicle on the passenger side of the truck. “Hello. How are you doing, sir?” the sergeant says. “Good,” Lombardo responds. The sergeant introduces himself and says, “The reason I’m stopping you is for the — ” “I’m Joe Lombardo,” the governor says before the sergeant can finish his sentence. “I’m aware,” the sergeant says. “For the red‑light violation back there. Your left turn onto Giles — ” “Come on, man,” Lombardo interjects. “You are free to go, sir. Appreciate you. Have a good day,” the sergeant tells Lombardo. Lombardo’s campaign has denied that he was seeking special treatment, saying he was introducing himself “as a matter of courtesy.” Ford’s remarks echoed his party’s statement issued earlier in the week. He said the stop illustrates that Lombardo believes he can operate under a separate set of rules from the public, and that members of the public may form their own judgment about the governor’s conduct. “I think people can judge with their own eyes what happened with that video,” Ford said. “Joe Lombardo was pulled over. Before the officer could finish his sentence, Joe Lombardo spoke up, interrupted him.” This is a developing story. Check back for updates.