Deleted Texts and Cover-Ups: The Justin Jones Disbarment Case
Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones wiped his phone during a lawsuit investigation. A federal judge called it a cover-up of an apparent quid pro quo scheme. Now the state bar wants to disbar him.
Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones deleted all text messages related to a lawsuit against Clark County. A federal judge issued a "scathing order" sanctioning him for inappropriate deletion. The state bar says it was "corruption and cover-up." Now they want to take away his law license.
The Background
Before being elected to the Clark County Commission in 2018, Justin Jones was an attorney who represented a group of residents opposing a real estate development near Red Rock Canyon on Blue Diamond Hill.
The development became the subject of litigation against Clark County. Jones's phone contained communications relevant to that lawsuit.
The Deletion
According to state bar counsel presenting at his disbarment hearing:
- Jones "wiped clean his phone of all text messages related to [the] lawsuit against Clark County"
- This happened in April 2019
- The deletion was done for "two specific, dishonest reasons: corruption and cover-up"
When asked about it, Jones testified he does not remember "whatever the act of deleting was" or "why I deleted the text messages."
The Federal Judge's Ruling
A federal magistrate judge issued sanctions against Jones for the deletion. The order was described as "scathing" and found evidence of an "apparent quid pro quo scheme."
The scandal also implicated former Governor Steve Sisolak, though the full details of the alleged scheme remain murky.
The Disbarment Proceeding
The State Bar of Nevada has initiated proceedings to disbar Jones—to revoke his license to practice law. The hearing began in March 2025.
If disbarred, Jones would:
- Lose his law license
- Be prohibited from practicing law in Nevada
- Face a permanent stain on his professional record
He would not, however, be required to resign from the County Commission. Nevada allows non-lawyers to hold the position.
Still Serving
Despite the federal sanctions and disbarment proceedings, Justin Jones:
- Remains a sitting Clark County Commissioner for District F
- Was elected to a second four-year term in 2022
- Continues to vote on county business
- Has not faced criminal charges
The Pattern
Jones's case fits a broader pattern of ethical issues in Clark County government. Four of seven commissioners were convicted in the Operation G-Sting scandal in 2006. Ethics violations continue to surface regularly.
When the system tolerates corruption, corruption becomes normal.