For Immediate Release
August 19, 2016
Contact: Press@CatherineCortezMasto.com
Watch the ad, “Left Out,” here
The truth is: crime went down during Cortez Masto’s time as Attorney General
Cortez Masto is endorsed by Nevada law enforcement because she has a proven record of solving problems and protecting Nevadans from predators
Las Vegas, NV – Today, Catherine Cortez Masto for Senate released a new ad, called “Left Out,” that sets the record straight on her record as Attorney General. Congressman Heck’s Washington allies are running misleading attack ads against Cortez Masto that conveniently leave out what’s important: the truth. The truth is: crime went down during Cortez Masto’s time as Attorney General. Nevada’s law enforcement organizations are unanimously supporting her candidacy for Senate because as Attorney General, she worked with them to solve problems and protect Nevadans from predators.
“Crime went down during Catherine Cortez Masto’s time as Attorney General and that’s why Nevada law enforcement is supporting her campaign to be Nevada’s next Senator,” said Zach Hudson, spokesperson for Catherine Cortez Masto for Senate. “As Nevada’s Attorney General, Catherine Cortez Masto held banks accountable for defrauding homeowners, protected seniors from scam artists, and worked with law enforcement to crack down on meth labs. In contrast, Congressman Heck has spent half a decade in Washington voting with his party against the interests of Nevadans. Unlike Congressman Heck, Catherine Cortez Masto has spent her career solving problems and putting Nevadans first. Isn’t that something we need more of in Washington?”
View the backup for the ads below.
CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO FOR SENATE “LEFT OUT” – AD BACKUP 8/19/16
CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO: Ads for Joe Heck are attacking my time as Attorney General. The thing they left out is the truth.
TEXT: Catherine Cortez Masto
FACT: INDEPENDENT FACT-CHECKERS FOUND PRO-HECK ADS ATTACKING CORTEZ MASTO’S RECORD TO BE FALSE, MISLEADING, AND INACCURATE
PolitiFact: NRSC Ad “Mostly False” Because Crime Statistics Were A Crude Way To Measure Safety And Nevada Had Several Quirks That Inflated Numbers. “Experts agree that crime statistics are a crude way to measure safety, and Nevada has several quirks that inflate the numbers. The ad claims that Cortez Masto ‘couldn’t keep us safe,’ but crime statistics have more to do with local law enforcement agencies than the state’s attorney general. The NRSC offers no proven link connecting her actions as attorney general to a swing in murder, robbery and rape. The statement contains an element of truth but leaves out important details. We rate the statement Mostly False.” [PolitiFact, 8/10/16]
PolitiFact: No Proof That Cortez Masto Had Anything To Do With Decline Of Crime In First Term Or Subsequent Increase In Second. “That’s a serious charge, and there’s no concrete proof she had anything to do with the decline in crime in her first term or the subsequent increase in her second. Crime was at an historical low in 2011, and it’s hard to say why. The crime report itself cautions police agencies against drawing any conclusions about a specific department given the variety of factors that can affect crime trends. 'Because of other assigned duties, the peculiar cycle of crime and clearances, and different community factors that normally affect crime statistics, no conclusions regarding individual departments should be made without consulting directly with the agency being analyzed,’ the report states.” [PolitiFact, 8/10/16]
PolitiFact: No Proof That Cortez Masto Caused Nevada’s Ranking Third In Ten Most Dangerous States. “Similarly, there is some truth that Nevada took the third spot in a ranking of the 10 most dangerous states. Again, however, it’s not proven what Cortez Masto had to do with it, and the source is not as credible as the FBI. The NRSC cites a list published in January 2015 from 24/7 Wall Street, a website that covers financial news. The list indeed ranks Nevada third, but the data relies on both crime data and socioeconomic factors, such as the poverty rate and the percentage of adults with a high school diploma. No attorneys general, in Nevada or elsewhere, play much of a role in setting educational policy or promoting programs to get people out of poverty.” [Politifact, 8/10/16]
PolitiFact: NRSC Cherry-Picked Handful Of Crime Statistics To Portray Cortez Masto As Weak On Crime. “The NRSC ad says Nevada was ranked as the third most dangerous state by the time Cortez Masto left office, and that "murder went up 11 percent, robbery went up 28 percent, rape 51 percent” during her second term. The NRSC cherry-picks a handful of short-term crime statistics to portray Cortez Masto as weak on crime enforcement. But the argument is flawed.“ [PolitiFact, 8/10/16]
PolitiFact Nevada: NRSC Claim That Cortez Masto Took Pay Increases Is “A Highly Misleading Claim.” “The NRSC said Cortez Masto ‘was happy to line her own pockets with taxpayer dollars when state employees were slammed with frozen salaries,’ but this is a highly misleading claim. The state increased Cortez Masto’s salary during a time of pay freezes for Nevada’s state workers. She was unable to legally reject the pay increase, so she donated $38,000 back to the state during her last four years in office. We rate the claim Mostly False.” [PolitiFact Nevada, 2/3/16]
PolitiFact Nevada: It’s Clear That As Attorney General, Cortez Masto Didn’t “Pad Her Pockets” While State Workers Suffered – She Received Essentially The Same Salary During Her Eight Years In Office. “According to information collected from TransparentNevada.com and records request from the state Controller’s office, PolitiFact Nevada put together this spreadsheet of salaries, donations and what percentage of salary was donated back to the state. As shown, it’s clear that as Attorney General, Cortez Masto didn’t ‘pad her pockets’ while state workers suffered – rather, she received essentially the same salary (not counting benefits) during her eight years in office when donations are subtracted out.” [PolitiFact Nevada, 2/3/16]
Jon Ralston: Freedom Partners Uber Ad Is “Bullshit” – Uber Is Still Here. In June 2016, Jon Ralston tweeted: “@FreedomPartners digital ad on @CatherineForNV is brutal but BS: It says she ‘drove them out of town,’ but Uber is still here.’ [Twitter, Jon Ralston, 6/24/16]
Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Steve Sebelius On Uber Ad: Cortez Masto Had The Gall To Actually Enforce The Law. In June 2016, Las Vegas Review-Journal columnist Steve Sebelius tweeted: “Shorter @FreedomPartners on @CatherineForNV: ‘As attorney general, she had the gall to actually enforce NV transpo laws as written!’” [Twitter, Steve Sebelius, 6/24/16]
Headline: Politifact: Freedom Partners Ad Attacking Cortez Masto On Uber "Mostly False.” [Politifact, 7/7/16]
Politifact Rated The Uber Attack Ad Mostly False “Because The Ad Takes Things Out Of Context.” “ Freedom Partners got a couple of the details right in the amount of taxi industry donations and Cortez Masto’s aggressive legal actions against Uber. But there’s a convincing argument that Uber at the very least bent the rules, and it’s clear that Cortez Masto didn’t have some sort of individual vendetta against the ride-hailing company — her office was working with state regulators who specifically requested the attorney general take action. The ad also neglects to mention how Uber only temporarily left town. The ridesharing service is very much up and running through Nevada a year after its initial skirmish with the state. Because this ad takes things out of context, we rate it Mostly False.” [Politifact, 7/7/16]
Heck Supporter And Former Nevada Transportation Authority Chairman Said It’s Possible Cortez Masto Could Have Ignored The Will Of The State, But It Would Have Been Highly Unusual, “I Couldn’t Foresee The AG Or Any AG Not Enforcing State Law.” “Former Nevada Transportation Authority chairman Andrew MacKay said the massive size of Uber’s workforce dwarfed the enforcement capabilities of state regulators, meaning the only real maneuver available was a court-ordered restraining order. MacKay, who disclosed that he’s supporting Republican Joe Heck in the state’s Senate race, detailed some of the issues with Uber in a three-page affidavit describing the more stringent requirements of Nevada’s cab companies. […] MacKay, chairman of the state’s ‘client’ in the case against Uber, said it’s theoretically possible that Cortez Masto could have ignored the will of the state and not filed suit, but it would have been highly unusual. ‘I couldn’t foresee the AG or any AG not enforcing state law,’ MacKay said.” [Politifact, 7/7/16]
Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Steve Sebelius: Two Recent Ads From The Koch Brothers-Backed Freedom Partners Action Fund PAC Targeting Cortez Masto Arranged Perfectly True Facts To Lead To A False Conclusion.“Anybody who’s ever been to a courthouse knows its possible to arrange perfectly true facts to lead a jury to a false conclusion. It’s no different in the court of public opinion. Take two recent ads from the Koch brothers-backed Freedom Partners Action Fund PAC targeting Democratic former Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, who’s now running for Senate. The ads allege she hired a well-connected Washington, D.C., law firm to sue Bank of America during the foreclosure crisis. The firm earned millions in fees. Partners in the firm later gave Cortez Masto campaign contributions. Therefore, corruption!” [Las Vegas Review Journal, Column, 5/10/16]
Las Vegas Review Journal’s Steve Sebelius: “Sounds Much More Like Cortez Masto Doing Her Job Than Cozying Up To A Washington Special Interest For Personal Profit.” “So, while it’s true Cortez Masto recommended the hiring of a law firm that earned money representing the state and whose partners later contributed to her campaign, it’s also true the firm successfully forced one of the largest banks in the country to pay the state millions to compensate for alleged wrongdoing. That sounds much more like Cortez Masto doing her job than cozying up to a Washington special interest for personal profit. In fact, you’d have to very carefully arrange the facts to lead people to that conclusion. That’s why you always have to wait until you’ve heard the entire story, in court and out.” [Las Vegas Review Journal, Column, 5/10/16]
CORTEZ MASTO: The truth is crime actually went down during my time in office.
TEXT: “crime actually went down during her time in office” Politifact 8/10/16
THE TRUTH: CRIME ACTUALLY WENT DOWN DURING CORTEZ MASTO’S TIME AS NEVADA’S ATTORNEY GENERAL
PolitiFact: Total Crime Went Down During Cortez Masto’s Time In Office, NRSC Cherry-Picked A Handful Of Short-Term Crime Statistics. “Cortez Masto’s campaign said focusing on the back half of her tenure as attorney general was misleading, and that crime actually went down during her time in office. Total crime decreased from Cortez Masto’s first year in office (116,814) to her last (92,376) […] The NRSC cherry-picks a handful of short-term crime statistics to portray Cortez Masto as weak on crime enforcement. But the argument is flawed.” [PolitiFact, 8/10/16]
From 2007 To 2014, The Total Index Offenses Index Declined From 116,814 To 92,376. [2014 Crime in Nevada, Total Index Crimes In Nevada for Past Decade (2005 to 2014), p.55 Accessed8/1/16]
From 2007 To 2014, The Murder Index Declined From 194 To 168. [2014 Crime in Nevada, Total Index Crimes In Nevada for Past Decade (2005 to 2014), p.55 Accessed8/1/16]
From 2007 To 2014, The Robbery Index Declined From 6,932 To 5,951. [2014 Crime in Nevada, Total Index Crimes In Nevada for Past Decade (2005 to 2014), p.55 Accessed 8/1/16]
From 2007 To 2014, The Aggregated Assault Index Declined From 11,039 To 10,466. [2014 Crime in Nevada, Total Index Crimes In Nevada for Past Decade (2005 to 2014), p.55 Accessed 8/1/16]
From 2007 To 2014, The Burglary Index Declined From 24,839 To 21,787. [2014 Crime in Nevada, Total Index Crimes In Nevada for Past Decade (2005 to 2014), p.55 Accessed 8/1/16]
From 2007 To 2014, The Larceny Index Declined From 49,744 To 42,122. [2014 Crime in Nevada, Total Index Crimes In Nevada for Past Decade (2005 to 2014), p.55 Accessed 8/1/16]
From 2007 To 2014, The Motor Vehicle Theft Index Declined From 22,333 To 10,128. [2014 Crime in Nevada, Total Index Crimes In Nevada for Past Decade (2005 to 2014), p.55 Accessed 8/1/16]
From 2007 To 2014, The Arson Index Declined From 639 To 403. [2014 Crime in Nevada, Total Index Crimes In Nevada for Past Decade (2005 to 2014), p.55 Accessed8/1/16]
FACT: CORTEZ MASTO LED THE CHARGE TO ADDRESS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN NEVADA
Elko Daily Free Press Editorial: Cortez Masto Led The Fight To Combat Domestic Violence And Left Behind A Legacy We Hope Others Follow. In January 2015, the Elko Daily Free Press editorial board wrote, “Before she left office, Catherine Cortez Masto released information to combat domestic violence in the state, which is something she battled throughout her time as attorney general. While she is no longer the state’s chief law enforcement officer, she has left behind a legacy we hope others follow. She led the way against domestic violence through the Nevada Council for the Prevention of Domestic Violence. The NCPDV’s mission is to combat domestic violence through awareness, legislation and the support of agencies involved in the fight against domestic violence, according to the AG’s office.” [Elko Daily Free Press, Editorial, 1/13/15]
Elko Daily Free Press: “Cortez Masto Has Been A Leading State Figure In The Fight Against Domestic Violence.”“Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto has been a leading state figure in the fight against domestic violence and is a member of Nevada’s domestic violence fatality review team, which releases its latest findings today. ‘Unfortunately for Nevada, we have been the leader, number one in the nation for the number of women who are murdered per capita by men with handguns. A majority of them are intimate relationships,’ Masto said. Washoe and Clark counties each have a domestic violence fatality review team, but domestic violence homicides aren’t limited to the state’s urban areas. ‘In the State of Nevada, domestic violence issues unfortunately exist in every community,’ Masto added.” [Elko Daily Free Press, 4/25/13]
Cortez Masto Focused On Domestic Violence Prevention In Nevada For Years And Fought For More State & Federal Funding For Victims. “‘People should understand that domestic violence crosses socioeconomic backgrounds, it could happen in any family and it could happen to anyone,’ explains Catherine Cortez Masto, former Nevada Attorney General. Cortez Masto focused on domestic violence prevention in Nevada for years and she says it comes down to educating the community in order to gain more support, ‘It is a lack of resources, not only do we have a lack of state funding we have a lack of federal funding. There is only so much that goes around to help individuals who are dealing with a domestic violence situation.’” [KRNV, 10/29/15]
Headline: Sparks Tribune: “Domestic Violence Gets A Closer Look.” [Sparks Tribune, 1/12/12]
Sparks Tribune: Cortez Masto Led The Charge To Address And Combat Rising Violence Against Women. “The Nevada Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team (DVFRT) held its inaugural meeting on Thursday to address and combat rising violence against women, with Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto leading the charge. The Silver State leads the nation in the per capita number of women murdered as a result of domestic violence, a trend that for years has plagued urban areas such as Reno and Las Vegas, as well as rural areas such as Elko County and, particularly, in Native American communities. ‘It exists in every community in our state,’ Masto said. ‘Nobody escapes it.’ The state Legislature, at Masto’s behest, created the DVFRT last year and authorized a multi-disciplinary team comprised of prosecutors, police, domestic violence service providers, treatment providers and community and faith leaders to review the deaths of domestic violence victims.” [Daily Sparks Tribune, 1/12/12]
Cortez Masto Addressed Domestic Violence With Boy & Girl Scouts, And Her AG’s Office Help Create A Merit Badge Called “Peace Begins At Home.” “Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez-Masto will address domestic violence when nearly 300 Boy Scouts gatherSaturday for a Merit Badge Fair at Clayton Middle School in northwest Reno. Cortez-Masto’s office has worked with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to create a merit badge called ‘Peace Begins at Home,’ which teaches Scouts what to do if they see signs of abuse. ‘When I was running for attorney general, I named domestic violence and sexual assault as two of the top priorities for my office,’ Cortez-Masto said in a recent speech. ‘They still are, and we are actively working to raise awareness of the issues, ensure victim safety and improve offender accountability.’ She said more than 36,000 victims, including 16,000 children, in Nevada contacted agencies for assistance in 2010.” [Reno Gazette-Journal, 3/25/11]
FACT: CORTEZ MASTO’S OFFICE FOUGHT FOR AND SECURED FUNDING TO COMBAT SEXUAL ASSAULT AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Headline: Las Vegas Sun: “Marriage License Fee Hike Would Fund Domestic Violence Programs.” [Las Vegas Sun, 3/9/09]
AG Cortez Masto Testified In Support Of SB 14 That Would Increase Marriage License Fee From $20 To $25 To Fund Programs That Combat Domestic Violence. “Half of all Clark County homicides are related to domestic violence, Attorney General Catherine Masto told a legislative committee Monday. Masto was testifying before the Senate Finance Committee in support of a bill to raise the marriage license fee to fund programs to combat domestic violence. Senate Bill 14 would boost the marriage license fee from $20 to $25. The cost of a license now is $55, of which $20 of that goes to domestic violence programs that provide shelter, hot lines and support groups.” [Las Vegas Sun, 3/9/09]
· Cortez Masto: Safety Is Enhanced When Individuals Have Access To Hotlines, Shelters, Support Groups And The Variety Of Services Available Through Local Programs. “As the State’s leading law enforcement agency, we have been instrumental in development of law enforcement protocols and training curriculum and have worked with prosecutors and courts to identify barriers. There are many barriers to be addressed. They include safety for domestic violence victims and accountability for their offenders. Safety is enhanced when individuals have access to hotlines, shelters, support groups and the variety of services available through local programs.” [Senate Finance Committee Minutes, 3/9/09]
· Nevada Legislature Passed SB 14 And Republican Gov. Jim Gibbons Signed The Bill Into Law In May 2009. [SB 14, Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau, Legislative History]
Nevada Received About $1.25 Million For STOP Officer Training And Nearly $250,000 For Sexual Assault Victim Service Providers. In February 2014, Cortez Masto press release stated, “Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto announces the awarding of $1,265,124 in Services Training Officers Prosecution (STOP) Violence Against Women Formula Grant funding and $247,954 in Sexual Assault Service Provider Formula Grant funding (SASP) for Calendar Year 2014. ‘We are excited to financially back the agencies that do so much for our community and provide services to victims of sexual and domestic violence,’ said Masto. Forty-seven agencies received grant awards to fund services provided to victims of sexual and domestic violence, as well as law enforcement and prosecution efforts to combat domestic violence and court compliance projects throughout Nev. A list of the STOP and SASP grantees is available on our website, ag.nv.gov.” [Nevada Attorney General press release, 2/14/14]
AG Cortez Masto’s Office Received $167,000 Grant From Sexual Assault Service Providers Program. “The Department of Justice has awarded the Nevada Attorney general’s Office a $167,371 grant from the Sexual Assault Service Providers grant Program (SASP.) This is the second grant the Nevada Attorney general’s Office has received for SASP. SASP directs grant dollars to States and Territories to assist in supporting rape crisis centers and other nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations that provide core services, direct intervention and related assistance to victims of sexual assault. ‘These grant dollars are directed to those organizations and agencies dealing with victims of sexual as-sault,’ said Attorney general Catherine Cortez Masto. ‘These vital services are often underfunded and the Federal dollars will help these organizations in their important work.’ SASP is the first Federal funding stream solely dedicated to the provision of direct intervention and related assistance for victims of sexual assault. Five funding streams are directed toward States and Territories; tribes; state sexual assault coalitions; tribal sexual assault coalitions; and culturally specific organizations.” [Comstock Chronicle, 11/5/10]
Cortez Masto Awarded Funds To Domestic Violence And Abuse Crisis Centers Across The State. “In September the Office of the Attorney general awarded funds from the initial 2009 SASP grant of $239,352 to Nye County’s no to Abuse; Washoe County’s HAWC Community Health Center; Clark County’s Community Counseling Center of Southern Nevada and The Shade Tree; Humboldt County’s Winnemucca Domestic Violence Shelter; and the Family Support Council of Douglas County. Other agencies that will also receive funds from this initial grant beginning January 2011 are the Crisis Call Center, the Rape Crisis Center, the Domestic Violence Intervention of Churchill County and AlIVE of Lyon County. Solicitation for next year’s cycle of SASP subgrant applications which will reflect the $167,371 funding will be advertised in late 2011 with awards to be granted for 2012. Nevada’s SASP grant awards will be administered and overseen by the Office of the Attorney general.” [Comstock Chronicle, 11/5/10]
Headline: Associated Press: “NV Gets Nearly $1.5M Violence Against Women Grant.”[Associated Press, 10/27/10]
AG Cortez Masto’s Office Received $1.5 Million STOP Violence Against Women Grant For Law Enforcement, Prosecution, Victim Services And Courts. “The Nevada state attorney general’s office says it has received a nearly $1.5 million federal Justice Department grant for STOP Violence Against Women programs. Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto said in a statement that sub-grants will be awarded by the end of the year in categories including law enforcement, prosecution, victim services and courts. Federal pass-through grants to the states were authorized by Congress in the Violence Against Women Act of 2005. Masto says the program aims to identify and support programs to reduce violent crimes against women and to bolster services for victims. Recipients are required to submit financial, administrative and program reports to the government to maintain grant funding.” [Associated Press, 10/27/10]
Headline: Associated Press: “Nev. Agencies Get $1.2M For Anti-Violence Programs.”[Associated Press, 6/30/09]
AG Cortez Masto Allotted $1.2 Million In Recovery Act Funds To STOP Violence Against Women Programs. “More than two dozen agencies across Nevada will receive more than $1.2 million for programs to reduce violence against women. Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto said Tuesday the money under the Recovery Act STOP violence Against Women grant program will create or retain the equivalent of 17.5 full-time positions in 28 agencies in the state. Nevada has been allotted economic stimulus funds for programs that meet federal and state objectives of the grant program. The attorney general’s office will administer the grant money to Nevada programs. The STOP Violence Against Women Program encourages the development of ways to combat violent crimes against women.” [Associated Press, 6/30/09]
FACT: CORTEZ MASTO SPONSORED AND PASSED BILL TO INCREASE PENALITIES ON STRANGULATION
Headline: Las Vegas Sun: “18 Arrested Under New Domestic Violence Law.” [Las Vegas Sun,7/23/09]
Cortez Masto Fought For AB 164 To Increase Domestic Violence Penalties On Strangulation.“Metro Police have wasted no time enforcing a new law that went into effect July 1 that increases certain domestic violence penalties. Assembly Bill 164, approved by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Jim Gibbons on May 6, revised a battery charge involving strangulation. […] The bill was introduced in the Assembly on Feb. 12 and passed both houses of the Legislature on May 1. Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto supported the bill. Assemblyman William Horne, D-Las Vegas, chief sponsor of the bill, said he was approached by the attorney general to introduce the enhanced punishment under domestic violence statutes.” [Las Vegas Sun, 7/23/09]
· Nevada Legislature Passed AB 164 And Republican Gov. Jim Gibbons Signed The Bill Into Law In May 2009. [AB 164, Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau, Legislative History]
· Since The Law Went Into Effect, 18 People Have Been Arrested Based On The New Charge. “Since the law went into effect, Metro Police Lt. Chris Carroll, of the Metro Police Domestic Violence Detail, said 18 people have been arrested based on the new charge. The bill amended Nevada revised statutes to increase penalties for domestic violence and battery involving strangulation, making it a category C felony, Carroll said. The maximum fine for each charge is $15,000.” [Las Vegas Sun, 7/23/09]
FACT: CORTEZ MASTO EXPANDED THE SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY AND SUCCESSFUL DEFENDED THE LAW FROM LEGAL CHALLENGES
Pahrump Valley Times: Cortez Masto’s Work Has Resulted In New Laws Strengthening The Registration And Notification Requirements Of Convicted Sex Offenders.” “Masto’s work has resulted in new laws strengthening the registration and notification requirements of convicted sex offenders and preventing a person from luring someone believed to be a child. During her presentation the attorney general told the students how her office works to get the ‘bad guys’ each day.” [Pahrump Valley Times, 3/21/14]
Cortez Masto’s Bill Changed Risk Classification And Tiered Sex Offenders Based On Their Risk To Re-Offend. “Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, whose office introduced the Walsh Act to Nevada’s Legislature in 2007and has been defending it in court ever since, said it’s up to the agencies that would be affected to figure out the costs. […] The risk of each to re-offend has to be reconsidered and reclassified. Nevada sex offenders are classified by tiers – the higher the tier, the higher the risk to re-offend. The higher the risk, the closer a sex offender is supposed to be monitored by parole and probation officials.” [Las Vegas Sun, 2/15/09]
Las Vegas Sun: AG Cortez Masto Introduced The Walsh Act And Defended It From Legal Challenges. “Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, whose office introduced the Walsh Act to Nevada’s Legislature in 2007 and has been defending it in court ever since, said it’s up to the agencies that would be affected to figure out the costs. But representatives of these agencies said nobody is running numbers while the law is stalled in court.” [Las Vegas Sun, 2/15/09]
· Cortez Masto Applauded Court Ruling That Upheld Rigorous Sex Offender Reporting Requirements. “In 2008, U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan issued an injunction preventing the law from being applied retroactively. At the time, he expressed concerns that if Nevada posted its list of nearly 5,000 people convicted of sex crimes since 1956, there would be no way to restore their privacy if the law was later found to be flawed. The attorney general’s office appealed, and on Friday, Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto applauded the 9th Circuit’s ruling. ‘It has been a long and necessary fight,’ Mast said in a statement. ‘It creates a system that requires sex offenders to be subject to rigorous reporting requirements. We owe it to our community to do our best to protect our citizens, particularly those most vulnerable, from adult sex offenders.’” [Associated Press, 2/11/12]
· Cortez Masto Spokesman: Previous Court Rulings Have Upheld Nevada Law Requiring Sex Offenders To Be Retroactively Classified. “A spokeswoman for Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto’s office pointed to previous court rulings, including one from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco that upheld Nevada’s law requiring sex offenders to be retroactively classified according to their crimes, not by their risk of reoffending. ‘The Nevada Supreme Court entered a stay of enforcement so they have an opportunity to review this law and determine whether it should be implemented,’ spokeswoman Jennifer Lopez said.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 2/4/14]
CORTEZ MASTO: That’s why I’ve been endorsed by law enforcement across Nevada.
IMAGE: Nevada Law Enforcement Union Decal
FACT: LAW ENFORCEMENT UNIONS THAT EMCOMPASS ALMOST EVERY PEACE OFFICER IN NEVADA UNANIMOUSLY ENDORSED CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO FOR SENATE…
Headline: Associated Press: “Nevada Police Unions Back Democrat Cortez Masto For Senate.” [Associated Press, 3/2/16]
Coalition Of Nevada Law Enforcement Unions Endorsed Cortez Masto For U.S. Senate. “A coalition of Nevada law enforcement unions is announcing support for Democratic Senate candidate Catherine Cortez Masto. Cortez Masto’s campaign announced endorsements Wednesdayfrom the Nevada Association of Public Safety Officers, Peace Officers Research of Nevada, the Fraternal Order of Police and the Southern Nevada Conference of Police and Sheriffs. The latter group includes the Las Vegas Police Protective Association and organizations representing Henderson and Las Vegas police supervisors.” [Associated Press, 3/2/16]
The Law Enforcement Unions Cited Cortez Masto’s Work To Fight Human Trafficking And Support For Funding More Police Officers As Reasons For The Endorsement. “Cortez Masto’s previous job as Nevada’s attorney general involved frequent work with law enforcement. Representatives from the unions cited her initiatives to fight human trafficking and her support of funding more police hires as reasons for the endorsement.” [Associated Press, 3/2/16]
Cortez Masto Picked Up Support From Nevada Police Unions. “Former state Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto (D) picked up endorsements from the Nevada Association of Public Safety Officers, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Peace Officers Reserve of Nevada, and the Southern Nevada Conference of Police and Sheriffs Wednesday.” [National Journal, 3/3/16]
…BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT AS ATTORNEY GENERAL, CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO FOUGHT TO KEEP NEVADANS SAFE AND BRING CRIMINALS TO JUSTICE
Fox News: Cortez Masto “Dedicated Herself To Fighting Sex Trafficking In Our State.” In February 2015, Fox News In The Morning reported, “Catherine Cortez Masto. Former Nevada Attorney General. Dedicated herself to fighting sex trafficking in our state. 'The numbers that we’ve seen in our state, when these kids come through, 60 percent of them are our own. They’re homegrown.’ she decided it’s time to do more to hold the perpetrators accountable.” [KVVU,2/19/15]
AG Cortez Masto Sponsored And Pushed For Legislation To Combat Child Sex Trafficking In Nevada. According to an article by Alex Pompliano of the Nevada Media Alliance, “Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto and other supports of the bill will join Sandoval as he signs AB67 into law. The bill establishes the crime of sex trafficking of children and adults, and makes victims eligible for state assistance and allows them to sue their traffickers. By doing so, the bill holds pimps accountable and protects the victims of sex trafficking. Cortez Masto, a primary proponent of the bill, says bills passed this year by the Legislature will serve as a springboard for more anti-trafficking measures in future years.” [Carson Now, 6/6/13]
Cortez Masto’s Bill Created New Tools For Law Enforcement To Stop Sex Trafficking And Gave More Recourse For Victims Of Sex Trafficking.According to a press release posted on the Mesquite Citizen website, “The bill was approved by unanimous votes of both houses of the legislature. The bill will now be sent to Governor Brian Sandoval’s for final approval. A public signing with Gov. Sandoval will take place. Background on AB 67: Changes the current pandering statute to the sex trafficking statute. The federal definition of sex trafficking will be used to increase penalties by one sentencing level. Creates law enforcement tools for racketeering, conspiracy, and wiretapping. Those convicted would have to register as a sex offender, and their assets will be seized, liquidated and provided as relief to the victims. Restitution will be mandatory with the ability to bring a civil cause of action. The prosecution will be allowed to preserve the victim’s testimony for trial.” [Mesquite Citizen, 6/3/13]
Cortez Masto Strengthened Laws To Protect Kids From Predators: “In My Office, We Actually Are The Investigators And Prosecutors. We Are The Ones Who Lure The Predators So They Are Not Preying On Our Kids.” “Masto’s work has resulted in new laws strengthening the registration and notification requirements of convicted sex offenders and preventing a person from luring someone believed to be a child. During her presentation the attorney general told the students how her office works to get the ‘bad guys’ each day. ‘It’s happening here and every community in our state. In my office, we actually are the investigators and prosecutors. We are the ones who lure the predators so they are not preying on our kids. We have laws that allow us to pretend we are the 12-year-old so that we can lure those predators. We have seen horrific cases here in Nevada and we want to make sure our kids are protected and they don’t become that next statistic,’ she said.” [Pahrump Valley Times,3/21/14]
Cortez Masto Often Visited Schools To Discuss Internet Dangers With Children.“Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto said she often visits schools to discuss the dangers of technology, especially on the Internet, where children might trust strangers and sometimes hide activity from parents. When Cortez Masto walks into a sixth-grade classroom, she said almost all students raise their hands when asked whether they own a cell phone, belong to a social network, play video games with strangers and share photographs online. ‘This is at the sixth grade,’ she said. ‘The technology these kids use have become an extension of their being.’” [Las Vegas Sun, 8/2/10]
CORTEZ MASTO: I’m proud of my record cracking down on meth.
TEXT: “combat the use and distribution of meth” Nevada Appeal 4/14/16
FACT: CORTEZ MASTO MADE COMBATING METH A PRIORITY, BROUGHT TOGETHER STAKEHOLDERS, AND PASS BIAPARTISAN LEGISLATION CRACKING DOWN ON METH ABUSE
One Of Cortez Masto’s First Priorities Once Becoming Attorney General Was To Combat The Use And Distribution Of Meth In Nevada, While Focusing On Protecting Seniors, Preventing Sex Trafficking And Violence Against Women. “Masto was first elected attorney general in 2006 and re-elected in 2010. Term limits prevented her from seeking re-election in 2014. One of her first priorities after taking office in 2007 was to set up a statewide Methamphetamine Working Group to combat the use and distribution of meth in Nevada. Other major focuses during her time in office included setting up a senior protection unit to pursue abuse, neglect and exploitation of seniors and strengthening laws preventing sex trafficking and violence against women.” [Nevada Appeal,4/14/16]
April 2007: Nevada Had The Highest Per-Capita Number Of Residents Reporting Meth Use. “In a state that has the nation’s highest per-capita number of residents who report having used meth in the past 30 days, according to a federal survey - and where Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto informed the Legislature that 40,000 Nevadans currently use the drug - whether or not the flavor’s there is perhaps the least pressing question of all.” [Las Vegas Sun, 4/12/07]
When Anti-Meth AB 150 Did Not Succeed At First, AG Cortez Masto Kept Trying And Made A New Proposal With AB 148. “On Saturday, legislators and Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto submitted a new proposal to altogether prohibit convenience stores from selling products containing pseudoephedrine. The proposal came in the form of an amendment to AB148 – which the Assembly had already passed earlier this year and was up for concurrence in the Senate. ‘The goal is to sell these products only at pharmacies, and take retailers out of it,’ said Douglas County District Attorney Mark Jackson who, like Elko Daily Free Press Publisher Rhonda Zuraff, is a member of Gov. Jim Gibbons’ methamphetamine task force, chaired by Cortez Masto.” [Elko Daily Free Press, 5/29/07]
Cortez Masto’s New Proposal Won The Support Of Law Enforcement And The Retail Industry. “Frank Adams of the Nevada Sheriffs’ and Chiefs Association and Tracy Woods of the Retail Association of Nevada joined Cortez Masto and Assembly members Bernie Anderson and Sheila Leslie, both Reno Democrats, in supporting the changes to AB148. If the plan wins approval, Nevada would join 16 other states that have passed similar legislation in efforts to stop illicit meth production and use. A key element of the wording proposed for SB148 is the lack of any new fees something which Gov. Jim Gibbons has opposed. Gibbons has supported anti-meth legislation, and first lady Dawn Gibbons served on an anti-meth task force, along with Cortez Masto. Because of the fee that was in AB150, that bill needed a two-thirds majority to win legislative approval. With no fee, only a simple majority vote is required.” [Elko Daily Free Press, 5/29/07]
Reno Gazette-Journal: Legislative Attack On Meth Received “A Burst Of New Energy” When AG Cortez Masto Replaced Tracking Cold Medicine Sales Provision To Instead Limit The Sale Of Cold Medication. “The legislative attack on methamphetamine that crashed last week will receive a burst of new energy today as lawmakers add new meth-fighting provisions to a bill on its way to passage. Republicans in the Assembly killed a major bill last week that aimed to track the sale of drugs used to make meth after the retailer’s association lobbied against a reporting requirement and fees for some stores that sell the cold medications. But that bill’s sponsor, Assemblyman Bernie Anderson, D-Sparks, and Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto have added some of those provisions to a measure she sponsored, Assembly Bill 148, to help limit the sale of products containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. While the requirement that stores and pharmacies report the cold medications that they buy and sell has fallen out of the plan, the new bill will limit the sale of the drugs in a way that will help law enforcement track sales, Cortez Masto said. ‘I think it’s going to be everything we hoped for,’ said Anderson, scheduled to meet in a conference committee with senators this morning to finish work on the new measure. ‘It’s a critical element in the fight against meth.’” [Reno Gazette-Journal, 6/1/07]
AG Cortez Masto: AB 148 Originally Focused On Tracking Sales And New Bill Will Still Require Pharmacies To Contact Authorities If They Notice Any “Unusual Or Excessive” Loss Of Cold Medicine.“AB148 originally focused on writing into state law some of the restrictions found in federal law – namely requiring that cold medication be kept behind the counter and people who buy the drugs must show identification and sign a logbook. The new measure proposes to limit the sale of cold and allergy medications containing ephedrine only to pharmacies. ‘It’s important for law enforcement to narrow where the drugs can be obtained,’ Cortez Masto said. The measure also would require pharmacies to contact the Nevada Department of Public Safety if they no-tice any ‘unusual or excessive loss or disappearance of the product,’ according to the bill.” [Reno Gazette-Journal, 6/1/07]
AG Cortez Masto On Anti-Meth Bill: “If We’re Going To Combat This Drug, Everyone Needs To Be On Board.”“Another piece pulled from the dead bill would make it a felony to possess two chemicals – lithium metal and sodium metal – if they are to be used in the making of meth. And it would allow for swift action to clean up any home or site used to manufacture meth because such locations ‘would become hazardous waste sites,’ Cortez Masto said. ‘What was important in this process was that everyone came together to get something done,’ she said. ‘If we’re going to combat this drug, everyone needs to be on board.’” [Reno Gazette-Journal, 6/1/07]
Headline: Associated Press: “Nev. Governor Signs Anti-Meth Bill, Limits Sales Of Medicines.” [Associated Press, 6/15/07]
AG Cortez Masto Said New Anti-Meth Bill Provided Law Enforcement New Tools To Attack Meth Production. “Even though most methamphetamine in Nevada is trafficked in, local meth manufacturing is still a huge problem, and the bill provides law enforcement with new tools to attack it, said Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto. Under AB148, Nevada will join 16 other states that have pharmacy-only prohibitions on the cold medicines that are meth precursors. The bill also allows for criminal penalties against those selling the lithium and sodium metals used in making meth, and requires pharmacies to report any losses of precursor drugs to state authorities. The final version of the bill was supported by lawmakers from both parties, law enforcement and retailers.” [Associated Press, 6/15/07]
AG Cortez Masto: AB 148 Restricts The Sale Of Pharmaceuticals Used To Manufacture Meth, Adds Criminal Penalties For Manufacturing Meth, Gives Local Law Enforcement More Authority To Go After Criminals. “Lyon County Sheriff’s deputies now have a stronger state law that could limit the number of illegal methamphetamine labs in the region. Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto said the new state law, AB148, restricts the sale of pharmaceuticals containing precursor materials used to manufacture meth and other controlled substances. State lawmakers decided to make it harder for criminals to gain access to the amount of pseudoephedrines they would need to manufacture methamphetamine, said Masto. The law changes how many over-the-counter drugs, including psuedoephedrine, are sold. It also adds criminal penalties for certain activities related to the manufacture of methamphetamine. The new law gives local law enforcement more authority to go after those who are manufacturing methamphetamine, Masto said. The new law also brings Nevada up to standards with laws passed recently by the federal government. The federal law has already created a drop in the number of meth lab busts in the Silver State.” [Reno Gazette-Journal, 8/8/07]
Reno Gazette-Journal: “Lyon County Sheriff’s Deputies Now Have A Stronger State Law That Could Limit The Number Of Illegal Methamphetamine Labs In The Region.” “Lyon County Sheriff’s deputies now have a stronger state law that could limit the number of illegal methamphetamine labs in the region. […] The law changes how many over-the-counter drugs, including psuedoephedrine, are sold. It also adds criminal penalties for certain activities related to the manufacture of methamphetamine. The new law gives local law enforcement more authority to go after those who are manufacturing methamphetamine, Masto said. The new law also brings Nevada up to standards with laws passed recently by the federal government. The federal law has already created a drop in the number of meth lab busts in the Silver State.” [Reno Gazette-Journal, 8/8/07]
CORTEZ MASTO:Protecting Seniors from scams.
TEXT: AG Helps Seniors Guard Against Scams, Elko Daily Free Press 8/7/14
FACT: CORTEZ MASTO CREATED A SPECIAL UNIT IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE TO PROSECUTE SCAMMERS WHO TARGET SENIORS
Headline: Elko Daily Free Press: “AG Helps Senior Citizens Guard Against Scams.” [Elko Daily Free Press, 8/7/14]
Cortez Masto Took A Personal Interest In Elder Fraud And Worked To Pass Law Allowing AG’s Office To Investigate Senior Abuse, Neglect, And Exploitation. “Cortez-Masto said she was raised by her grandparents as well as her parents, and takes a personal interest in elder fraud. ‘I saw how they were scammed quite often in our community and so when I got into office, I was able to work with an assemblywoman and pass a law for the first time allowing our office to investigate for elder abuse, neglect and exploitation,’ she said.” [Pahrump Valley Times,4/23/10]
Cortez Masto’s Legislative Liaison Testified In Support Of Bill Creating Senior Protection Unit. RANDAL MUNN (First Assistant Attorney General and Legislative Liaison, Office of the Attorney General): “On behalf of Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, we want to express our support for A.B. 226. The protection of our seniors is one of the highest priorities of the Attorney General. We see a growing need as the population shifts to baby boomers entering that aging stage. We take this area of the law seriously and support any enhancements that will bring necessary resources. We are reevaluating the priorities of our Office and this will be one of them.” [Senate Judiciary Committee Minutes,5/24/07]
Nevada Legislature Passed Bill Creating A Special Unit In The Attorney General’s Office To Prosecute Crimes Against The Elderly. In May 2007, Nevada legislators passed: “AN ACT relating to older persons; creating the Unit for the Investigation and Prosecution of Crimes Against Older Persons within the Office of the Attorney General; authorizing the Unit to investigate, prosecute and commence certain legal proceedings to prevent certain crimes against older persons; providing for a civil penalty to be imposed against a person who commits certain crimes against an older person; creating the Repository for Information Concerning Crimes Against Older Persons; and providing other matters properly relating thereto. Legislative Counsel’s Digest: Section 5 of this bill creates the Unit for the Investigation and Prosecution of Crimes Against Older Persons within the Office of the Attorney General.” In May 2007, the bill passed unanimously in both chambers and was approved by the Governor on July 1, 2007. [A.B. 226, Bill History, Introduced 3/1/07]
AG Cortez Masto Met With Seniors To Help Them Prevent Being Scammed. “After reviewing a medical bill, a Southern Nevada woman noticed a doctor had routinely charged her husband for visits that were sometimes seconds long and involved no interaction. Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto told a group of senior citizens at the Elko Senior Center about the incident Wednesday to illustrate how easily scams can occur. In the case, a woman took note of how often doctors would pick up a chart and quickly leave the room or peek in the door to wave, as she sat by her ill husband day after day. After the woman received the bill, Masto said, she realized the charges were bogus and filed a complaint with prosecutors.” [Elko Daily Free Press, 8/7/14]
Cortez Masto: Medicare Fraud Is Rampant In Nevada, Noted Her Grandparents Had Become Scam Targets. “Masto said Medicaid fraud in the state of Nevada is rampant. ‘(For) Medicaid alone in 2013, the state budget was $1.8 billion. We believe that 10 percent of that $1.8 billion is lost to fraud,’ she said. But Medicaid fraud is only one in a whole host of scams inflicting Nevadans, and in many cases, the tar-gets are elderly people. Masto said she wanted to make residents aware of the more common scams so they could identify and avoid falling victim to them when they happened. The attorney general’s office consumer protection division investigates and prosecutes scam artists, but Masto said she also wanted to warn citizens of the problem because she saw her own grandparents become targets as they grew old. ‘It was the worst thing to see,’ she said.” [Elko Daily Free Press, 8/7/14]
Cortez Masto Encouraged Seniors To Contact Her Office If They Are Victims Of A Scam. “While acknowledging it’s embarrassing to be a taken by a scam, Masto encouraged all victims to contact her office. ‘My office is complaint driven,’ she said. ‘We can’t help you if we don’t hear from you.’ As a general rule, Masto advised residents to be skeptical, particularly with anyone asking for money. Always verify requests for personal information with the actual company or entity purporting to need the information. Carefully check bills and bank accounts. Residents can get a free credit score once per year, which will tip them off on possible identify theft.” [Elko Daily Free Press, 8/7/14]
CORTEZ MASTO: And holding bank accountable for defrauding homeowners.
TEXT: held banks accountable and helped Nevada homeowners” Reno Gazette-Journal, 3/23/16
FACT: CORTEZ MASTO TOOK ON THE BIG BANKS AND SECURED $1.9 BILLION IN MORTGAGE RELIEF FOR NEVADA HOMEOWNERS
Cortez Masto Played An Important Role In Mortgage Settlements Totaling At Least $1.9 Billion Helping Nevada Homeowners Hurt By The Foreclosure Crisis. “The process of fact checking involves reporting the facts as best known at the time. When new facts arise, verdicts can change. That happened here. Regarding Cortez Masto’s campaign video, the claim is correct that she played an important role in mortgage settlements totaling at least $1.9 billion that held banks accountable and helped Nevada homeowners hurt by the foreclosure crisis. Truth meter: 9 (out of 10).” [Reno Gazette-Journal 3/23/16]
Cortez Masto Secured $1.9 Billion In Mortgage Settlement Relief For Nevadans. “Cortez Masto said she decided to run for the Senate ‘to continue the work I did as attorney general, to protect consumers, homeowners.’ One of her proudest moments came in working to help foreclosed homeowners, she said. She was one of the first attorneys general to go after Bank of America, resulting in a huge settlement of more than $1 billion for Nevada. She also helped negotiate a national mortgage settlement that resulted in $1.9 billion for Nevadans who were wronged in the foreclosure crisis. ‘Everything I’ve done is based on what people in Nevada were dealing with,’ she added.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal,
###