Robert Telles attends an arraignment hearing at the Regional Justice Center, downtown, Sept. 20, 2022. Telles is charged with open murder in the stabbing death of Las Vegas investigative reporter Jeff German.
Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022 | 9:37 a.m.
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Prosecutors plan to petition the court to have Clark County Public Administrator Robert Telles removed from office after his arrest in the slaying of a Las Vegas journalist, county District Attorney Steve Wolfson said today.
Telles, 45, was arraigned today on a charge of open murder. Prosecutors allege Telles fatally stabbed Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German, 69, outside German's home on Sept. 2.
Telles had been the subject of stories by German outlining allegations of a hostile work environment and an inappropriate relationship between Telles and a subordinate. Telles has denied the allegations.
Wolfson said Telles has been "neglectful in his duties" as public administrator, who oversees probate estates, as he remains jailed after his Sept. 7 arrest and can no longer serve the county.
Wolfson's said his office will submit a petition seeking Telles’ removal from office it by the end of the day.
"We are taking action on behalf of the county," Wolfson said after the hearing. "He's been unable to appear at the public administrator's office, and he's unable to perform his duties."
"The law says if a public official was unable to perform, that's neglectfulness, and that's why we're seeking his removal,” Wolfson said.
If the court removes Telles, the county could appoint a replacement until voters elect a new public administrator in November, county spokesman Dan Kulin said.
In Las Vegas Justice Court this morning, Judge William Jansen asked Telles if he understood the charges read before him. Telles, dressed in blue jail scrubs nodded and said, “Yes, your honor.”
No plea will be entered until the case is moved to District Court, Wolfson said.
Jansen also appointed Telles a public defender, Edward Kane, who will be representing Telles instead of attorney Travis Shetler, who appeared on Telles' behalf at an initial hearing.
Kane declined to comment after today's hearing.
Telles will be continued to be held without bail until his next court appearance Oct. 26.
