Nevada’s Attorney General, Aaron Ford, spent over $60,000 on travel in a single year, venturing to 16 cities and including stays at luxurious destinations like a resort in Puerto Los Cabos and the exclusive Martha’s Vineyard. The expenses raise questions about priorities and the demands of the office he holds.
The mounting costs are coupled with a significant amount of time spent away from the state. Records indicate Ford was absent from Nevada for at least 137 days in 2024 alone, adding up to nearly 20% of his time in office spent traveling since his election.
This pattern represents a dramatic shift from previous administrations. In his final year as Attorney General, Ford’s Republican predecessor spent less than $5,000 on out-of-state travel – a fraction of the current figure.
While a spokesperson for Ford maintains the travel was linked to campaign events and official duties, including meetings with national legal organizations focused on issues like human trafficking and cybercrime, the sheer scale of the spending has drawn scrutiny.
Ford’s involvement with groups like the National Association of Attorneys General and the Attorney General Alliance, where he served as chair in 2024, was cited as justification for some of the travel. These meetings, officials say, allowed him to address critical issues impacting Nevadans.
The increased spending wasn’t always the case. In 2019 and 2020, Ford’s out-of-state travel expenses were under $15,000 annually, but steadily climbed to over $52,000 by 2022.
Adding another layer of complexity, Ford is currently under investigation by the Nevada Commission on Ethics regarding potential improper solicitation of gifts and the use of his office for personal benefit. This investigation has intensified calls for transparency regarding his travel expenses.
Critics argue the travel expenses and time away demonstrate a lack of commitment to the state and its residents. They question whether the level of travel is truly necessary for fulfilling the duties of Attorney General.
The debate over Ford’s travel comes as he faces a challenging re-election campaign. His opponent has highlighted the contrast in their approaches to the office, emphasizing a focus on delivering results for Nevada.
The questions surrounding Ford’s travel and ethics investigation continue to fuel debate about accountability and the responsibilities of public officials in Nevada.
