Clark County audit finds unremitted fees and years-long backlog in Public Administrator's Office

Overview

Updated 2 hours ago

The Clark County Public Administrator's Office is supposed to settle the estates of people who die without next of kin. A county audit, reported October 29, found $623,000 in service fees never sent to the county and nearly 1,900 open cases, including 34 that had been open for more than a decade.

The audit reviewed January 2024 through August 2026 and rated six of eight findings high risk. It also found 105 sets of cremated remains with no final-disposition plan, some dating to 2014, and directed the office to produce a corrective action plan with county management.

Why it matters

The office handles estates of people who die without next of kin; the audit shows fees and remains can sit for years without county oversight.

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Key Indicators

$623,000

Unremitted service fees

Fees collected March 2024 through July 2026 that were not forwarded to Clark County.

1,900

Open cases as of July 2026

Nearly 1,900 estates remained open, with 59% open more than two years.

59%

Cases open over two years

Share of open cases that had been pending for more than two years.

105

Cremated remains without plan

Sets of remains held with no documented final disposition, some dating to 2014.

Audit findings

Findings in the audit, six of which auditors rated high risk.

Recommendations

Corrective steps the audit recommends, including deadlines and inventory controls.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

Rita Reid

Clark County Public Administrator

Leading office during audit response

Robert Telles

Former Clark County Public Administrator

Convicted of murdering journalist Jeff German

Mike Murphy

Former interim public administrator

Candidate for public administrator

Stephanie Itkin-Goodman

Deputy attorney general and candidate for public administrator

Running for office

Organizations Involved

Clark County Public Administrator's Office

County office

Under audit and corrective-action order

County office that administers estates and belongings of people who die without next of kin.

Clark County Audit Department

County audit agency

Published audit

County audit unit that reviewed the Public Administrator's Office from January 2024 through August 2026.

Clark County Audit Committee

County oversight body

Directed corrective action plan

Committee that receives county audits and directs corrective action.

Timeline

2022 October 2026

5 events Latest: 2 days ago

Tap a bar to jump to that date

October 2026
County audit reported
Latest Audit

Audit finds eight issues, six high risk, including unremitted fees, backlogs and remains without disposition plans.
2 days ago
Audit Committee orders action plan
Oversight

Committee directs Public Administrator to work with county management on corrective steps.
October 2026
July 2026
Open estate cases near 1,900
Backlog

The office reports nearly 1,900 open cases; 59% have been open more than two years.
July 2026
February 2024
Fee transfers to county stop
Financial

The office stops forwarding collected service fees to Clark County, beginning a gap that reaches $623,000.
February 2024
2022
Telles scandal engulfs Public Administrator's Office
Scandal

Employees raise concerns about management under Robert Telles; he is later convicted of murdering reporter Jeff German.
2022

Scenarios

Clark County approves corrective action plan with deadlines

Likely Resolves by Jan 31, 2027

Discussed by: Clark County Audit Committee and county management

The committee has already directed the Public Administrator to work with county management. A plan would set deadlines for closing cases, forwarding fees and inventorying property. Approval depends on county managers and the office agreeing on enforceable targets.

Outside monitor or county takeover imposed

Possible Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: county officials and candidates commenting on the audit

The audit found weak inventory controls and access problems, and candidates have called for fundamental reform. If the action plan stalls, county commissioners could place the office under an independent monitor or shift some duties to another county department. That step would require a board vote and a legal review.

New public administrator elected on reform mandate

Likely Resolves by Nov 30, 2026

Discussed by: Mike Murphy and Stephanie Itkin-Goodman campaigns

Both candidates have criticized the audit findings. The election gives voters a chance to choose a new administrator, but the winner inherits the same backlog and 23 recommendations. Reform depends on staffing, county support and how quickly the office can close old cases.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2014

VA wait-time scandal (2014)

Investigators found Phoenix VA staff kept secret wait lists and that about 1,700 veterans were waiting for care without proper records. An external audit led to the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act and the removal of senior officials.

Then

Congress passed a bill allowing veterans to seek outside care and made it easier to fire senior VA managers.

Now

The scandal forced leadership changes and became a benchmark for how audits expose hidden backlogs.

Why this matters now

The Clark County audit similarly found cases and fees sitting outside normal controls, and it now faces a deadline-driven correction plan.

2002

Tri-State Crematory scandal (2002)

Georgia authorities found hundreds of bodies abandoned at a crematory in Noble. Operator Ray Brent Marsh was later convicted. The case exposed how little oversight crematories faced.

Then

Georgia tightened rules and other states reviewed crematory oversight.

Now

The case became a reference point for funeral-industry regulation and remains accountability.

Why this matters now

Clark County auditors found 105 sets of cremated remains without a disposition plan, a smaller but similar custody failure.