Nevada Revised Statutes 281A.755 – Confidentiality of investigative file; exceptions; discovery request for list of proposed witnesses and certain portions of investigative file; contents of investigative file
1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the investigative file related to an ethics complaint is confidential and is not a public record pursuant to chapter 239 of NRS.
Terms Used In Nevada Revised Statutes 281A.755
- Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
- Discovery: Lawyers' examination, before trial, of facts and documents in possession of the opponents to help the lawyers prepare for trial.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
- Transcript: A written, word-for-word record of what was said, either in a proceeding such as a trial or during some other conversation, as in a transcript of a hearing or oral deposition.
2. At any time after being served with written notice of the determination of the review panel regarding the existence of just and sufficient cause for the Commission to render an opinion in the matter, the public officer or employee who is the subject of the ethics complaint may submit a written discovery request to the Commission for a list of proposed witnesses and a copy of any portion of the investigative file that the Executive Director intends to present as evidence for consideration by the Commission at the adjudicatory hearing or in rendering an opinion in the matter.
3. Any portion of the investigative file which the Executive Director presents as evidence for consideration by the Commission at the adjudicatory hearing or in rendering an opinion in the matter becomes a public record and must be open for inspection pursuant to chapter 239 of NRS.
4. For the purposes of this section:
(a) The investigative file includes, without limitation:
(1) Any response concerning the ethics complaint prepared by the public officer or employee pursuant to NRS 281A.720 and submitted to the Executive Director and the review panel during the course of the investigation and any proceedings before the review panel;
(2) Any recommendation concerning the ethics complaint prepared by the Executive Director pursuant to NRS 281A.725 and submitted to the review panel during the course of the investigation and any proceedings before the review panel; and
(3) Any other information provided to or obtained by or on behalf of the Executive Director through any form of communication during the course of the investigation and any proceedings before the review panel and any records, documents or other materials created or maintained during the course of the investigation and any proceedings before the review panel which relate to the public officer or employee who is the subject of the ethics complaint, including, without limitation, a transcript, regardless of whether such information, records, documents or other materials are obtained pursuant to a subpoena.
(b) The investigative file does not include any deferral agreement.