This story originally aired on February 16, 2024, and was updated on March 8, 2025. Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German was deeply dedicated to his work, and tragically, it seems he may have paid the ultimate price for it. In September 2022, he was fatally stabbed by an unknown assailant outside his home. German was revered in the local community for his fearless reporting on notorious criminals, corrupt officials, and violent offenders.
The sheer number of individuals who may have had a motive to harm Jeff was extensive, according to Glenn Cook, the Review-Journal’s executive editor. His decades-long career of exposing individuals involved in heinous activities had likely made him numerous enemies. One noteworthy figure on the list of potential suspects was Robert Telles, the Clark County public administrator. German had published several articles detailing Telles’ alleged misconduct in the workplace, which had enraged Telles and his associates.
Despite the risks involved, German was unwavering in his commitment to uncovering the truth and holding wrongdoers to account. He was described as a man driven by a strong moral compass, always striving to shed light on criminal behavior and injustice. After learning about the toxic work environment at the Clark County office from four courageous female employees, German took on their cause with determination. These women, who had been subjected to mistreatment by Telles, viewed German as their hero for standing up for them.
Tragically, just five months after becoming involved in their case, German was brutally murdered at his home in a meticulously planned attack. The details of the assault, captured on surveillance footage, revealed a chilling and personal nature to the crime. German was stabbed multiple times and left to die in his own yard. His body was discovered by a concerned neighbor the following day, triggering a wave of shock and grief in the community.
The shocking assassination of Jeff German serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by investigative journalists who dare to expose corruption and criminality. Through his fearless reporting and unwavering dedication to the truth, German left behind a legacy of integrity and bravery that continues to inspire those who seek justice in his absence.
Jeff German was a dedicated journalist who fearlessly pursued the truth in the shadowy realms of organized crime, government corruption, and criminal activities. Despite his small stature, he stood tall against dangerous mobsters like Tony Spilotro, earning a reputation for his tenacity and courage. Through his relentless investigative work, he uncovered the real stories that needed to be told, shedding light on cases that would have otherwise remained hidden. German’s unwavering commitment to journalism and his pursuit of justice left a lasting impact on those around him, exemplifying his passion for exposing wrongdoing and protecting the underdog.
The private lifelong bachelor was well-known for keeping his personal life under wraps.
At the newsroom, the colleagues of Jeff German were devastated by his death and came together to uncover the truth behind his murder. The staff was determined to follow in German’s footsteps and investigate the mystery surrounding his untimely demise.
The team mourned German’s passing with heartfelt cards and flowers placed on his desk. Briana Erickson expressed how the team would strive to continue their work as German would have wanted.
The staff diligently pursued leads and clues to unravel the mystery of who killed Jeff German, one of the most significant stories of their careers. Rhonda Prast, tasked by executive editor Glenn Cook, compiled a list of potential suspects, including a county official named Robert Telles.
Telles, who oversaw the Public Administrator’s Office, had faced complaints of harassment and discrimination from his employees, including Aleisha Goodwin and her colleagues. Despite their grievances, the county failed to take action against Telles, leaving the women feeling helpless.
Jeff German had listened to the women’s accounts and promised to investigate their claims, giving them the courage to speak up. The women recounted the hostile work environment created by Telles, with incidents of intimidation and repressive rules imposed on them.
The women shared disturbing encounters with Telles, recalling instances of verbal abuse and threats in the workplace. Despite the fear and tension instilled by Telles, the women found solace in German’s support and determination to seek justice.
As the team delved deeper into the investigation, they uncovered a web of misconduct and abuse within Telles’ office, raising suspicions about his involvement in German’s murder. The pursuit of truth led the team on a challenging and dangerous path as they sought justice for their fallen colleague.
Ganan shared a terrifying experience where she felt the need to avoid upsetting Telles due to his intimidating behavior. Despite their long years of service, the women working with Telles expressed fear for their job security. Coleman, responsible for safeguarding the deceased’s belongings in a restricted area, also feared for her physical safety, recounting a time when Telles aggressively confronted her. Telles would often come close, demand attention, and share unsettling remarks, causing distress for Coleman. One particularly disturbing incident involved Telles implying that Coleman would die alone, prompting her to consider drastic actions to protect her colleagues. Fortunately, she realized this was not the answer and instead collaborated with her coworkers to gather evidence of Telles’ suspected inappropriate relationship with a subordinate named Roberta. The women observed suspicious behavior, including outings to a parking garage, where they discreetly documented Telles and Roberta’s interactions. Despite Telles and Roberta denying any romantic involvement, the women’s surveillance efforts captured incriminating evidence that raised further concerns about their professional conduct.
Aleisha Goodwin: Yes.
Jessica Coleman: Indeed.
Aleisha Goodwin: That is correct.
Peter Van Sant: Alright. And what is your response to that?
Aleisha Goodwin: Well, in that last video we received, we had a slightly better recorder. You can observe the shadows, and you can see those heads coming together.
Rita Reid: We found it to be highly inappropriate. However, the shot that had the most impact was of Roberta exiting the car and adjusting her dress.
Rita Reid: It was so unbelievable, and it took a moment to process the reality of the situation.
After viewing the videos, German confronted Roberta about them. She denied any inappropriate relationship, stating, “I have not had an inappropriate relationship with him.” The story was later published by the Review-Journal.
Peter Van Sant (reading aloud): Let me read the introduction of this initial article: “The Clark County Public Administrator’s Office has been engulfed in turmoil and internal strife over the past two years, with accusations of emotional distress, bullying, and favoritism leading to covert filming of the supervisor and a colleague outside the office.”
Peter Van Sant: That story quickly spread throughout Nevada and eventually nationwide.
Peter Van Sant: As the dust settled, were you thinking that the mission was accomplished or were you wondering about our next steps?
Aleisha Goodwin: Both.
Jessica Coleman: Yes, the fear did not subside. If anything, it intensified and took on a different form.
WARNING SIGNS WERE PRESENT
German’s exposé, which detailed turmoil, bullying, and animosity, had an immediate and profound impact on the Public Administrator’s Office. Following this, the county brought in an external consultant, and Robert Telles lost his re-election bid in the primary election to his rival, Rita Reid.
However, German continued to investigate Telles, publishing three more damning articles chronicling the downfall of the once-promising young Democrat. Another piece was in progress when tragedy struck.
But German did not live to complete it.
NEWS REPORT: Jeff German was tragically found murdered outside his residence in the Northwest Valley… Upon hearing the news of German’s death, the women he had championed were devastated and filled with apprehension—fearing the repercussions of their actions.
Goodwin’s father, a former Las Vegas police detective who had introduced her to German, verbalized what was on everyone’s mind.
Aleisha Goodwin: My dad called me early in the morning to inform me of Jeff’s death, and before I could react, his next words were, “I know who my prime suspect is.” … The moment he uttered those words, I knew too.
Peter Van Sant: That it was Robert?
Aleisha Goodwin: Yes, that it was Robert.
The staff at the Las Vegas Review-Journal also contemplated the same question. Could Telles have been involved?
Peter Van Sant: The investigative pursuit has begun, correct?
FICER: Our cameras are rolling. ROBERT TELLES: You just want to bring me down because I’m a public official. Robert Telles was captured on police bodycam during his arrest in March 2020. Telles, slurring his words, was arrested for domestic battery and resisting arrest. ROBERT TELLES (police bodycam video): Do you have enough evidence to arrest me now? OFFICER: Yes, there is sufficient evidence to arrest you now. ROBERT TELLES: I’m not trying to use my position as a public official to get special treatment. I’m not stupid. Telles received a suspended 90-day sentence for resisting arrest and was required to attend a corrective thinking class. The battery charge was dropped. Art Kane mentioned that the incident went unnoticed as DUIs and domestic issues are not widely covered. Looking back, reporter Erickson noted warning signs, including Telles’ tweets in response to journalist German’s coverage. Peter Van Sant asked Erickson to read one of the tweets, to which she commented that Telles appeared angry. Despite the angry tweets, the journalists needed concrete evidence, which was scarce. All they had were two surveillance photos of the suspect released by the police. Kane mentioned that the suspect’s attire could have been a deliberate choice for disguise. When a surveillance video was released, photographer Kevin Cannon noticed a distinctive walking style that matched a shot he had taken of Telles during an interview. Cannon compared the videos and found a matching gait. He also discovered a photo where Telles and journalist German appeared together. Editor Glenn Cook’s team speculated that Telles could be the suspect but lacked solid proof. The police later released an image of the suspect’s car, a maroon Yukon Denali. Assistant editor David Ferrara searched Telles’ address on Google Earth to investigate further.
A maroon vehicle was parked in the driveway, registered to Telles’ wife. As reporters and photographers were sent to the house, the instruction was clear: do not engage, do not approach. The man, likely a suspect in a colleague’s murder, needed to be handled cautiously. Despite the warning, a photographer managed to capture the crucial shot of Robert Telles washing his SUV in his driveway on a scorching hot day.
The photograph marked a significant development, potentially linking Telles to the murder. Speculation arose that Jeff might have been killed due to his last investigation, possibly involving Telles. Although the news lacked police corroboration, the presence of unmarked police cars near Telles’ home hinted at an imminent search warrant.
In a bid to be the first to report the news, the Review-Journal prepared to break the story of Telles’ arrest. Following Jeff’s murder, Telles was brought in for questioning and his house was searched. Detectives collected crucial evidence, including a DNA sample from Telles, pieces of a cut-up sun hat, and gym shoes similar to those seen in surveillance footage.
The breakthrough in the case came with positive DNA results linking Telles to the crime scene. Telles’ DNA was found under Jeff’s fingernails, providing strong evidence against him. The discovery pointed towards Jeff’s quick thinking in the crucial moment before his death.
With the DNA match, the case against Telles seemed to be solidifying, bringing investigators closer to solving the murder mystery.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department once again arrived at Telles’ home to prepare for an arrest. Review-Journal photographer Kevin Cannon, along with other media representatives, had been waiting outside when the police instructed everyone to leave. Cannon quickly sought refuge in a neighbor’s home and was led to the backyard, where he could still observe Telles’ house. Meanwhile, back at the newsroom, staff members monitored the situation through a police radio and learned that Telles had made concerning comments related to self-harm. The police decided to call in the SWAT team to intervene. As the SWAT team moved in and prepared for action, Cannon was poised to capture the unfolding events. He witnessed Telles being taken out on a stretcher and documented the dramatic arrest, which made the front page of the Review-Journal. Telles was later treated for his injuries and then indicted for murder with a deadly weapon. Despite the intense nature of the events, Cannon found satisfaction in his work and the impactful coverage that followed.
In the previous videos, we see the assailant returning to the crime scene and parking a maroon Yukon Denali in front of Germain’s driveway. Art Kane describes the assailant walking over to ensure Jeff is deceased, theorizing that he wants to eliminate any witnesses. The suspect then walks back to the car and drives away. Since being arrested, Telles has been awaiting trial in jail.
During a video interview at the Clark County Detention Center, “48 Hours” confronts Robert Telles about the murder of Jeff German. Telles denies committing the murder and claims he was framed. He asserts that evidence against him, such as a torn sun hat, the Yukon Denali, and his DNA under German’s fingernails, was planted. Telles promises to prove his innocence at trial, despite the overwhelming case against him.
Telles denies the allegations made by German and insists that they are lies. He disputes the claims made in German’s articles and argues that they were based on opinions rather than facts. However, the footage of Telles and his alleged lover in the parking garage contradicts his denials.
German had planned to write another article revealing emails and messages between Telles and Roberta, prompting speculation that Telles may have orchestrated the murder to prevent the publication of incriminating information. Telles dismisses this suggestion as a mischaracterization and maintains his innocence.
It was anticipated that there would be a release, and I had no knowledge of any form of confidential relationship or supposed affair. Everything was business-related, so there was no motivation as nothing negative was going to be exposed. The prosecutors suggested that this could have been a motive for the murder. In Robert Telles’ perspective, Jeff German had negatively impacted his marriage and political career, embarrassed him, and continued to report on him even when he wanted to be left alone. However, attempting to stop German’s reporting by killing him did not succeed. Following his death, Review-Journal journalists continued and finished the stories German was working on, including one on Telles’ controversial past involving allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied. The key point is that killing a reporter cannot silence the story. German was known to protect his sources during his life, and even after his death, he continued to safeguard them. The court battle won by the Review-Journal established the “German rule” to protect reporters’ sources posthumously. German’s sources have attended hearings to deal with feelings of guilt, understanding that it was not their fault for his choices as a professional. Telles was sentenced to at least 28 years in prison for the murder of Jeff German. The judge added eight years to the sentence due to the use of a deadly weapon, lying in wait, and the age of the victim. In the “48 Hours” Post Mortem Podcast, Peter Van Sant and producer Liza Finley discuss the suspicious evidence found at Robert Telles’ residence. Telles maintains that he is being framed for the journalist’s murder in Van Sant’s interview.
The text has been rephrased as follows: “From Germany, this content was produced by Liza Finley and Gabriella Demirdjian. The development producers are Cindy Cesare and Greg Fisher. The editors involved are Gregory F. McLaughlin, Chris Crater, Michelle Harris, and Wini Dini. Peter Schweitzer holds the position of senior producer, while Nancy Kramer is the executive story editor. Judy Tygard is the executive producer of the segment. In the latest news: Russia rejects a ceasefire deal, U.S. Army soldiers are suspected of selling classified materials to China, and Canadians express their discontent with President Trump.”
