Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Payback? Wife of ex-assemblyman files against woman who built devastating campaign finance case against him

It was not noted in a local "newspaper" story last week about Phung Jefferson's filing against Judge Carolyn Ellsworth, who was appointed by Gov. Brian Sandoval in September to the bench, but the challenger is married to ex-Assemblyman Morse Arberry.

Why is that significant?

Because Ellsworth, when she worked for Secretary of State Ross Miller, helped put together that devastating case against Arberry for failing to disclose tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions and depositing them in his personal account. The attorney general reached a controversial

plea deal.

Ellsworth, I'm reliably told, called Arberry to get him to come in and talk about the allegations before any charges were filed. Arberry never came in after setting up appointments, but he certainly knew Ellsworth was involved in the case.

It's inconceivable that his wife did not know of Ellsworth's role before she filed, but I have asked nevertheless and will post her response if I get one.

UPDATED: Phung Jefferson emailed me early Sunday evening and, amazingly, denied any knowledge that Ellsworth was involved in her husband's case:

"I was not aware of this information, and it did not factor into my decision to seek judicial office. My candidacy is about my qualifications."

Coincidence or vindictiveness? I wonder.

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