Attorney in Federal Suit Against Hope for Prisoners Founder Says He Plans to Depose Lombardo, Wolfson and McMahill

What happened

The attorney behind a federal lawsuit against Hope for Prisoners founder Jon Ponder says he plans to depose Nevada's top law enforcement officials, the Nevada Current reported Monday. Attorney James Beckstrom told the outlet by email, "We certainly intend to depose all board members and any public officials who had knowledge of the systematic sexual abuse." He made the comment when asked about District Attorney Steve Wolfson and Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill, who were board members in 2020, and Gov. Joe Lombardo, who was sheriff at the time.

Beckstrom represents a former Nevada inmate identified as RS in a federal civil rights lawsuit filed Oct. 29. She alleges Ponder used influential relationships to gain access to her and others and coerced her into sexual acts by promising contact with her children. The suit claims Ponder violated her constitutional right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment.

The 2020 board warning

Attorney advised firing Ponder

The Current previously reported that the Hope for Prisoners board was advised by its attorney in summer 2020 to terminate Ponder after an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations. According to a letter from board member Kristina Wildeveld, the board ignored that advice after President Donald Trump pardoned Ponder at the 2020 Republican National Convention. Wildeveld resigned when the board took no action.

Other 2020 board members included former Gov. Robert List, Latin Chamber of Commerce president Peter Guzman, and former Metro Asst. Sheriff Todd Fasulo, who chaired the board. The Current said it contacted the former board members and Lombardo but did not hear back.

Records requests denied

In 2020, Metro and the district attorney's office both denied the Current's open records requests for Wildeveld's letter, saying it was sent to McMahill and Wolfson in their personal capacities. In 2022, Lombardo said he was unable to release the correspondence. The Nevada Department of Corrections recently denied a request for communications with the governor's office about Ponder, saying the records may be used as evidence in the criminal case.

The criminal case

RS is one of seven alleged victims in a 25-count grand jury indictment handed down in September. Ponder is charged with offenses that include four counts of sexual assault, each carrying a potential life sentence, along with kidnapping and unauthorized contact with inmates. The allegations span 2015 through this year, the Current reported.

Ponder was released on $400,000 cash bail, reduced from $1 million in October by Judge Ron Israel. His attorney, Robert Draskovich, has filed a motion to withdraw, noting the case moved to District Court and Ponder can no longer retain him.

Who answers for the state

Prison officials named

Besides Ponder and Hope for Prisoners, the suit names prison officials Jennifer Nash and William Reubart. It alleges that when Jean Conservation Camp officers complained about Ponder, the two overrode those concerns. NDOC spokeswoman Teri Vance said Ponder had access "equivalent to that of other NDOC hired contract employees," but did not address the allegations against Nash and Reubart.

A handoff at the attorney general's office

Attorney General Aaron Ford, who defeated Lombardo in last week's governor's race, will likely file the state's initial response for NDOC, according to the Current. Most of the defense will eventually fall to Attorney General-Elect Nicole Cannizzaro, a former prosecutor under Wolfson. Ford said it is "crucial for more information to come to light," including about who knew and failed to act. More on the incoming leadership is in our look at what Democratic control means for Nevada's Legislature.

Ties to Metro and state funding

Under Lombardo, Metro formed a community partnership with Hope for Prisoners and hosted its monthly graduations at LVMPD headquarters. As governor, Lombardo has supported added state funding for the group, which also receives federal funds. The Current noted there is no cap on monetary judgments against the state for civil rights claims.

Reports of staff sexual assault or harassment against inmates in Nevada prisons average about 27 a year. Over the last five years, the Nevada Office of Inspector General investigated 136 reports and substantiated 14, the Current reported. More coverage is on our public safety page.

What to watch next

• Whether Beckstrom moves to depose former board members and public officials, who attorney Lisa Rasmussen says will likely have to comply with subpoenas.
• The attorney general's initial response to the lawsuit on behalf of NDOC.
• A ruling on Draskovich's motion to withdraw as Ponder's attorney in the District Court criminal case.