An investigative reporter at the Review-Journal in Las Vegas is dead. His suspected killer is an elected official who is at the focal point of one of his in-depth investigations. Journalist Jeff German was found stabbed to death outside of his home. The arrested suspect in the case is Robert Telles. He was accused of creating a hostile work environment and having an affair with a coworker within the Clark County Public Administrator’s Office.
“We are outraged that a colleague appears to have been killed for reporting on an elected official,” the Review-Journal’s executive editor Glenn Cook said Wednesday in a statement. “Journalists can’t do the important work our communities require if they are afraid a presentation of facts could lead to violent retribution.”
The accusations came from a series of investigative newspaper articles published by German. German had been working on a follow-up story about Telles the week he was killed, according to the Review-Journal. A few months after the publications of the stories, Telles lost his primary election.
“We thank Las Vegas police for their urgency and hard work and for immediately recognizing the terrible significance of Jeff’s killing,” Cook said. “Now, hopefully, the Review-Journal, the German family and Jeff’s many friends can begin the process of mourning and honoring a great man and a brave reporter. Godspeed, Jeff.”
