Governor Lombardo’s Traffic Stop Caught on Body Camera
Recently released body camera footage reveals a routine traffic stop involving Nevada’s Governor Joe Lombardo. The incident, which occurred on May 15, escalated quickly when the governor drove off without any citation for allegedly not stopping at a red light.
The minute-long video depicts a sergeant from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department halting Lombardo’s pickup truck close to Mandalay Bay. It begins with the officer approaching the passenger side and greeting the governor. “Hello. How are you doing?” the sergeant asks.
Before the officer could fully explain the reason for the stop, Lombardo interjects, “I’m Joe Lombardo.” To which the sergeant responds, “I know,” before continuing to address the alleged traffic violation.
“Come on, dude,” Lombardo replies after the sergeant mentions the red light issue. Shortly thereafter, the sergeant decided to end the stop without issuing a ticket, telling Lombardo, “It’s okay now, Doctor. Thank you. Have a nice day.” This exchange lasted about 15 seconds.
Lombardo’s office reported that he and his wife were briefly stopped while headed to Harry Reid International Airport due to questions regarding his driving behavior. According to the statement, the governor complied with the police officers’ instructions and thanked them for their service.
The governor’s office also pushed back against claims that he used his position to gain favor during the stop. They stated, “At no time did the Governor invoke his office to seek or expect preferential treatment.” The introduction of his name was simply a courtesy, they explained.
Although Lombardo, a Republican who took office in 2022 after serving as sheriff, was traveling with his wife at the time, the video sparked criticism from Nevada Democrats. They raised concerns about whether his position influenced how the incident was handled.
Daniele Monroe Moreno, chair of the Nevada Democratic Party, expressed outrage, suggesting that Lombardo thought he was above the law. “It is clear that Mr. Lombardo’s ‘tough on crime’ stance does not really apply to him,” she stated, questioning if he believed his position exempted him from consequences for his actions.
The Las Vegas Police Protective Association, which had supported Lombardo during his campaign, came to his defense. Their president, Steve Grammas, asserted that the encounter was standard procedure. He emphasized that officers often exercise discretion during traffic stops and that not all minor violations warrant a ticket.
“If he wasn’t the governor, no one would care about the hundreds of other stops that happen the same way,” Grammas noted, suggesting that these types of interactions are commonplace.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that Lombardo was not charged, highlighting that officers usually opt for discretion in minor traffic matters. Fox News Digital has reached out for further comments from various parties involved.
