Nevada governor name-drops during traffic stop and avoids red-light citation
By: -----
Las Vegas, NV - Nevada’s governor was pulled over by a Las Vegas police officer in May for allegedly failing to stop at a red light before making a right turn in his pickup truck. He wasn’t ticketed after identifying himself.
“I’m Joe Lombardo,” he said as the officer arrived at the passenger-side window, police body camera video obtained by The Associated Press shows.
Gov. Lombardo was pulled over on May 15 by an officer from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the agency Lombardo led as sheriff for eight years. The officer walks up to the passenger side of a light-gray Ford pickup truck and says, “Hello, how are you doing, sir?” according to the video.
Lombardo is in the driver’s seat, with his wife, Donna Lombardo, in the passenger seat.
The officer begins to explain the reason for the stop, and Lombardo interrupts to say, “I’m Joe Lombardo.” The officer says, “I’m aware,” and continues to explain the stop was initiated because he did not see Lombardo stop at a red light before making a right turn.
“Come on, man,” Lombardo says.
The officer replies, “You’re good to go, sir. Appreciate ya. Have a good day,” and then walks away.
The whole interaction lasts about 15 seconds of the 1 minute and 10 second video.
The police department said the governor did not receive a citation but did not say why; however, law enforcement officers say it is common to not give a citation over a minor violation.
Lombardo’s campaign said the governor and his wife were headed to the airport when they were pulled over.