Newly released police body camera footage shows the moment Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo identified himself to a police officer after being pulled over in Las Vegas.
The brief traffic stop took place on May 15, as reported by the Associated Press, which obtained the video. The footage shows an officer with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department approaching a vehicle where the governor was behind the wheel with his wife, Donna Lombardo, in the passenger seat.
The officer approached the passenger side of the car and asked how the governor was doing. Before the officer could finish explaining why he pulled the vehicle over, Lombardo cut in.
“I’m Joe Lombardo,” the governor said.
“I’m aware,” the officer replied.
The officer then finished explaining that Lombardo had been pulled over for an alleged “red light violation” after making a right turn.
Lombardo responded by saying, “Oh, come on, man.”
The officer then told Lombardo, “You're good to go, sir. Appreciate you. Have a good day,” before walking away from the vehicle. The entire encounter lasted approximately 15 seconds.
Lombardo, a Republican who served as the sheriff of Clark County and led the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for eight years before taking office as governor in January 2023, did not receive a ticket. The department declined to comment on why no citation was issued, according to the Associated Press.
In a statement sent to 8 News Now, the Lombardo campaign defended the governor's actions.
“Two months ago, Governor Lombardo and his wife were briefly pulled over on their way to the airport by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department over a question about whether Governor Lombardo had come to a complete stop while turning,” the campaign told the outlet. “Governor Lombardo spoke with the officer, fully complied with all instructions, and was promptly on his way. He remains grateful for the professionalism of the officer involved and for the service of law enforcement officers across Nevada.”
No further details regarding the traffic stop have been released.
The Independent has contacted the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for comment.
