Corruption in Plain Sight: Washoe County’s Selective Deafness on Sober Testing Services

Commissioner Mike Clark posted this on his Facebook page earlier today and we thought this was a good opportunity to do a reminder about the Sober 24 Program and how the ‘powers that be’ at Washoe County would not listen.

Let’s rewind the tape on a little episode of government dysfunction that Washoe County officials would now really prefer we forget — but we won’t.

At center stage is Sober 24 Testing Services, the county-run operation that was supposed to ensure accountability in the courts but instead became a hub of questionable leadership, opaque operations, and now — surprise — the focus of multiple investigations.

And who's been clapping the loudest all along? Enter Commissioners Alexis Hill and Mariluz Garcia, applauding with cheerleader-level enthusiasm for one Justin Roper, the man who ran the program. He was hailed as a savior of sorts, praised by Hill, Garcia, and then-Assistant County Manager (now interim manager) Kate Thomas, who acted less like a supervisor and more like a full-time PR agent for Roper.

But while the political pom-poms were flying, Commissioner Mike Clark dared to do the unthinkable: ask questions. You know — those pesky little things like how much time Roper was spending in Las Vegas, where a very similar for-profit testing business was conveniently being run by Roper’s wife.

It was a reasonable question. A necessary one. But Clark’s line of inquiry was met with outrage. Hill and Garcia shut him down. Roper himself pitched a fit at the mere suggestion that his county-funded role might not be his sole focus.

Let that sink in.

A public servant who reports directly to County leadership — Kate Thomas, specifically — couldn’t tolerate a single question about his out-of-county business dealings, and the elected officials tasked with oversight weren’t just silent — they actively defended him.

Meanwhile, lawyers, court staff, and internal watchdogs had reportedly been raising red flags for months, if not years. Their complaints? Ignored. Buried. Shielded. Why? Because those complaints went straight to Kate Thomas, who protected Roper like he was part of a royal court, not a public service agency. No discipline. No transparency. Just silence.

And now? Well, now the chickens are coming home to roost. Federal investigations are underway — and the County is scrambling to look like they’re shocked. Shocked.

Commission Chair Alexis Hill recently gave us this gem of political hand-waving:

“We make mistakes in government. There can be corruption issues in local government.”

Oh, can there? Thanks for the masterclass in understatement, Alexis.

Here’s the truth: This wasn’t a mistake. This was willful negligence. Commissioner Mike Clark tried to shine a light — and instead of joining him, Hill and Garcia slammed the blinds shut. They didn’t even insist his questions be addressed.

Now the County finds itself in damage-control mode, and we’re supposed to believe this was unforeseeable? That no one could have seen it coming?

The only thing more offensive than the corruption is the gaslighting we’re getting in its aftermath.

If there's any lesson here, it’s this: Accountability only matters to Washoe County leadership when the headlines get ugly. Until then, they’ll cheerlead for incompetence, protect their favorites, and silence anyone who dares to challenge the club.

Maybe next time a commissioner like Mike Clark raises a concern, Washoe County will listen. Or, more likely, they'll just wait for the subpoenas.