Alexander Assefa (born 1983) is an American politician and former member of the Nevada Assembly from the 42nd district.

Alexander Assefa
Member of the Nevada Assembly
from the 42nd district
In office
November 7, 2018 – January 11, 2021
Preceded byIrene Bustamante Adams
Succeeded byTracy Brown-May
Personal details
Born1983 (age 40–41)
Dodola, Ethiopia
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materAverett University (BA)

Early life

edit

Assefa was born in Dodola, Ethiopia in 1983. He earned a B.A. in political science from Averett University in Danville, Virginia.[1]

Career

edit

Assefa is a licensed pilot. Assefa also worked as a political advisor for the Ethiopian Community Center of Las Vegas. In 2018, Assefa was elected to the Nevada Assembly, where he has been representing the 42nd district since November 7, 2018.[2] Assefa resigned from the legislature on January 11, 2021, amidst investigation over campaign finances.[3]

The Clark County Commission appointed Tracy Brown-May to serve the remainder of the term.[4]

Criminal charges

edit

In May 2020, during an investigation, law enforcement raided Assefa's house. On March 17, 2021, Assefa faced fourteen criminal charges filed by the Nevada Attorney General's office in the Las Vegas Justice Court. These criminal charges include false information about his residency and campaign expenses.[5][6][7]

He pled no contest and was sentenced to three years of probation. His felony conviction will be dismissed if he successfully completes three years probation. (2023)[8]

Personal life

edit

Assefa is married to Zenash Mebratu.[1]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Assemblyman Alexander Assefa". Nevada Legislature. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  2. ^ "Alexander Assefa". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  3. ^ Snyder, Riley (January 12, 2021). "Democratic Assemblyman Assefa resigns, citing residency issue that is subject of criminal probe". The Nevada Independent. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  4. ^ Beaudoin, David, ed. (February 2, 2021). "Fabian Doñate, Tracy Brown-May appointed to Nevada Legislature". State and Local Tap. Ballotpedia. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  5. ^ "I-Team: Former Nevada assemblyman faces charges of filing false residency, theft". KLAS-TV. March 19, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  6. ^ "Fmr. Nevada Assemblyman Assefa faces several charges". KTNV-TV. 20 March 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  7. ^ "Former lawmaker Assefa charged with theft, lying about residency". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 19 March 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  8. ^ "Nevada ex-lawmaker gets probation in campaign funds case". kolotv.com. March 24, 2023.