OPINION: “Auditing Reno 911”: Fighting 1st & 14th Amendment Infringement and Government Corruption with a Camera

I am only one, but I am one.

I cannot do everything, but I can do something.

What I can do, I SHOULD do, and WILL do, so help me God.

(Edward Everett Hale)

Last week in Reno’s U.S. District (Federal) Court, I witnessed the most judicially unprofessional and biased behavior I’ve ever seen in a court proceeding at any level.

The hearing was for the purpose of resolving a year-long feud between local Constitutional Auditor Drew Ribar (plaintiff), and two defendants: a nonprofit local homosexuality advocacy group and a lawyer from the District Attorney’s office.

The conflict stemmed from a private homosexual advocacy organization and the public Washoe County Library partnering on a 2023 “Drag Queen Story Hour” activity that was – illegally – not made available to community members who criticized this activity.

The specific issue being considered by the court was whether or not the defendants had sufficient proof for the court to maintain a temporary restraining order against Ribar.

 The defendants offered no hard evidence of any illegal behavior by Ribar. They did, however, offer volumes of tearful anecdotes about their “mental distress” and “anxiety” that were all blamed on Ribar.

For approximately 3 times longer than the judge allowed Ribar to speak, the defendants claimed the need for the restraining order because Ribar’s  “intimidating behavior” and “loud speech” directed at them had made them fear for their lives and want to quit their jobs.

• The judge allowed the defendants – but not Ribar – to appear via a zoom call because defendants stated they were both too afraid of, and intimidated by Ribar to appear in person.

• After hearing the defendants’ testimony, but before Ribar even had a chance to respond, the Federal judge momentarily paused the proceedings to praise the female defendants for being so brave and courageous in speaking out against Ribar.

Lacking complete information, the judge ordered the current restraining order to be maintained against Ribar’s First Amendment rights until the hearing continues in the near future.

Full details regarding Ribar’s ongoing case, including the next hearing, are available on Youtube “Auditing Reno 911” website. 

https://www.youtube.com/@auditingreno911

Ribar’s Back Story

When most people hear about something the government has done that is corrupt or illegal, they suffer in silence.

Others get upset enough to briefly complain to those around them, but ultimately walk away angry and frustrated.

County resident Drew Ribar takes a different approach, however, and that’s what makes him so rare and valuable to our community.

For the past 4 years, when Ribar has heard about local government wrongdoing and/or First Amendment issues, he’s picked up his video camera, hopped in his truck, and driven to the source of the problem.

He’s filmed these wrongful situations, recorded interviews with guilty parties, and then exposed them by posting the videos on his “Audit Reno 911” website and numerous social platforms.

“I have felt driven to pursue and expose these corrupt government actions,” said Ribar. “I feel it is wrong for public tax dollars to be used to pay for special interests that are pushing political agendas . . . and it’s getting worse. When I started doing this, I didn’t know if the average citizen would even be interested in the locally corrupt situations my videos were uncovering.”

The public immediately affirmed their interest in Ribar’s work when his first posted video of wrong-doing at the DMV attracted 7,000 views.  In the intervening 4 years, he has posted more than 30,000 videos that have attracted over 236,000 followers.

Ribar’s videos have attracted 2 distinctly different categories of viewers:

1) Those who believe in John Adams’ statement that “We are a nation of laws – not men,” have become Ribar’s strongest advocates because of his support of the First and 14th Amendments and his insistence on transparent local government.

2) The other category of Ribar video-viewers are individuals who have been exposed for abusing the power of their public positions. Many of these individuals have viciously attacked Ribar with a variety of unethical and illegal countermeasures.

Samples of corrupt situations Ribar has exposed on-camera, regarding government improprieties.

• DMV

Ribar challenged a new DMV policy that was created solely to needlessly reduce the essential income that private towing companies, like Ribar’s, rely on to survive.

• Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam

Ribar focused a public spotlight on the County Sheriff’s refusal to increase the size of our long overcrowded jail, or to even acknowledge the problem. The situation has resulted in fewer arrests and allowing more criminals to remain on the street.

• Reno Police Department

A Ribar video highlighted RPD’s ineffective practice of nagging, rather than arresting, vagrant criminals for illegal public camping, even though three local ordinances allow law enforcement to arrest illegal campers.

• Washoe County District Attorney’s Office

Another video exposed an outrageous example of unethical law enforcement: allowing criminal vagrants who commit multiple violent felonies to plea bargain the crimes down to a single, low-level misdemeanor, thus avoiding prison sentences.

• Registrar of Voters Office

Ribar’s videos exposed grossly illegal mishandling and transporting of election ballots.

Every honest resident of Washoe County has benefited from Drew Ribar’s relentless and selfless pursuit of:

• Defense of our First Amendment rights

• Enforcement of the 14th Amendment (equal treatment under the law)

In spite of Ribar’s unjustified detainments and arrest by local law enforcement, increasing harassment, and threats from public officials, Ribar has maintained a fearless steel spine in his polite and respectful pursuit of the truth.

Ribar’s videos have motivated many residents to get more involved in the issues he’s exposed.  Hopefully one of them will be you.

Speak Up, Nevada! What’s on Your Mind? Send us your opinion!

Got the inside scoop on something happening in Nevada? Or the country? Do you have thoughts about life in Nevada that are too good to keep to yourself? Whether it’s a hot take on our politics, crime, education, or even the secret to surviving our summers, we’re all ears! Swing them our way at editor@thenevadaglobe.com. Come on, give us the scoop on what makes Nevada tick—or what ticks you off. Let’s make some noise and have some fun with it!

*************************

Legal Disclaimer

The opinions expressed in this article, authored by Paul White, are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views or positions of Nevada Globe. This content is provided for informational purposes only and has not been endorsed by Nevada Globe. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the content contained on this site for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

Nevada Globe is not responsible for, and expressly disclaims all liability for, damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on any information contained within the article. No guarantee is given that the information provided in this article is correct, complete, or up-to-date.

Although this article may include links providing direct access to other Internet resources, including websites, Nevada Globe is not responsible for the accuracy or content of information contained in these sites.

Links from Nevada Globe to third-party sites do not constitute an endorsement by Nevada Globe of the parties or their products and services. The appearance on the website of advertisements and product or service information does not constitute an endorsement by Nevada Globe, and Nevada Globe has not investigated the claims made by any advertiser.