Katie Williams avoids charges despite residence investigation

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Former Clark County School District trustee Katie Williams, who represented District B, resigned last month after District Attorney Steve Wolfson had Metro Police investigate allegations that she lived out of state.

Living outside the district you were elected to is against Nevada law.

Many have wondered whether Williams would be punished following the investigation.

“She received payments from the district, including huge checks. You know, if I get something like that, I think they'll probably take me to jail,” said CCSD parent Anthony Armas.

Community members and CCSD families are asking why former trustee Katie Williams is not facing legal consequences after Metro's investigation revealed she has been living in Nebraska since about April of this year while still serving on the school board.

Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson's decision to deny investigators' request for a criminal case against Williams.

“We get 55,000 cases a year or more,” Wolfson said. “I have 300 murder cases pending. I have many lawyers who prosecute serious crimes and violent criminals. I have spoken to many people in this community. That’s what I should focus on.”

He says he wasn't the only one who made this decision.

“The sheriff agrees with me that while we could have charged her with a gross misdemeanor and she might have been convicted of something, the consequences would have been very limited,” Wolfson said. “The real goal was to get her out of office. We have achieved this goal.”

Wolfson received a letter from five other trustees and several community members requesting an investigation.

Now that the investigation is complete, they still have many questions, including what will happen to the tax money Williams received while he was abroad.

“Unless a court determines that residence is in Nebraska, their votes and their right to payment remain,” Wolfson said. “I know it doesn’t sound right. It doesn’t sound fair, but that’s Nevada law.”

When it comes to board decisions, Williams was involved in several key motions and votes while the investigation revealed she lived in Nebraska.

In April she made the first application as trustee, Dr. Appoint Brenda Larsen-Mitchell as interim superintendent.

In May, Williams participated in a 4-3 vote against seeking council to work with and represent the board of trustees.

And in June and August, she was part of the major 4-3 vote to keep Lundy Elementary School at Mount Charleston closed since August 2023 following Tropical Storm Hilary, including voting not to repair the school and instead potentially closing classrooms in the Add a nearby library.

But, Wolfson says, because of state law, those votes also can't be reversed.

“Well, Nevada law provides that her votes are considered valid until either her seat is declared vacant by a court or she resigns,” Wolfson said.

What can you do about it?

“It would require a change in the law,” he said.

News 3 asked Wolfson if anyone else was under investigation.

He said Metro has not sought criminal prosecution for any other person.

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