Peter Van Sant Reports in “The Assassination of Jeff German”

Reporter Jeff German

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Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German was a local legend – renowned for his reporting on infamous mobsters, crooked politicians and murderers. But in September 2022, it was the reporter making headlines. German was ambushed and stabbed to death by an unknown assailant outside his home. Correspondent Peter Van San reports on the case in 48 HOURS: “The Assassination of Jeff German,” to be broadcast Saturday, Feb. 17 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+.

The Review-Journal staff members started working nonstop on one of the most important stories of their careers: who killed Jeff German? They came up with a short list of people who may have threatened him. One of the names on that list was Clark County public administrator Robert Telles. German had written four articles about Telles’ alleged hostile behavior at the office.

German first learned about the accusations of a toxic workplace from Clark County employees Rita Reid, Aleisha Goodwin, Jessica Coleman and Noraine Pagdanganan.

“He was a horrible, a horrible human being,” Rita Reid told 48 HOURS. “Monster is the right word.”

The women told German that Telles harassed, bullied and physically intimidated them. They also said he was having an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate in the office and gave her power and privileges beyond her job title. When their complaints to the county were ignored, the women took matters into their own hands. They followed the alleged lovers to their suspected rendezvous spot: a parking garage.

“We started to take pictures and we started to video,” says Aleisha Goodwin. “You can see the shadows ... And you can see those heads going together.”

Both Telles and his alleged lover denied they were having an affair.

Jeff German’s story, including the secret video, went to print.

Van Sant asks the women, “As this settled in, are you thinking, ‘Mission accomplished,’ or [are] you thinking, ‘What’s gonna happen to us next?’”

“The terror didn’t stop. The terror almost just got worse. It just changed face,” says Jessica Coleman. Five days after German was killed, Robert Telles was arrested and ultimately charged with his murder. He has pleaded not guilty.

Peter Van Sant interviewed Robert Telles at the Clark County Detention Center.

Judy Tygard is the executive producer of 48 HOURS, which is broadcast Saturdays at 10:00 PM, ET/PT on CBS, and streams anytime on Paramount+. You can also watch 48 HOURS on the CBS News Streaming Network Wednesdays at 8:00 PM, ET. 48 HOURS is also available on CBSNews.com, Fave TV, Pop TV, Pluto US, Pluto UK, Pluto Nordics, Pluto Canada and Pluto South Africa. Download the CBS News app on your phone or connected TV. Follow 48 HOURS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Listen to podcasts at CBS Audio.

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