Nevada Attorney General Masto Named 2014 William Raggio Award Recipient


September 12, 2014

Las Vegas, NV – The Nevada Advisory Council for Prosecuting Attorneys (NVPAC) named Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto as the recipient of the 2014 William J. Raggio Award during the Nevada Prosecutors Conference in South Lake Tahoe on Wednesday. This award is presented annually to a current or former prosecutor who has contributed significantly to the improvement of the administration of justice in Nevada.

    “I am honored to receive such an award,” said Masto. “It has been a distinct pleasure to serve the State of Nevada in my capacity as attorney general alongside outstanding members of the legal community.”

      AG Masto has served as Nevada Attorney General for the past eight years, exhibiting great integrity and leadership throughout. She is being recognized for her distinguished service as Nevada Attorney General, her dedication and innovation as chief law enforcement officer for the State, and her strong commitment to justice for all people.

        “Attorney General Masto has been a leader on many, many issues important to the State of Nevada” said Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson, who nominated Masto for the award. “In particular, she led the effort to pass important legislation involving the prosecution of sex traffickers who victimize children and adults alike. The citizens of Nevada will truly miss her unwavering persistence in seeking justice for all of us.”

          Prior to her service as the Attorney General, Masto worked as an Assistant County Manager for Clark County, Nevada, and as a federal criminal prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, DC. AG Masto has worked on many issues in her various roles including: mortgage fraud, cyber bulling, sex trafficking, senior citizen protection, substance abuse, violence against women, consumer protection, and homeowner relief.

            On behalf of Nevada and homeowners, AG Masto was one of the first in the country to take legal action against unscrupulous mortgage servicing practices during the housing crisis that devastated the State. She also secured $1.8 billion from the nation’s five largest mortgage servicers as part of the National Mortgage Settlement. She used the settlement funds to initiate the “Home Again: Nevada Homeowner Relief Program” to help Nevadans get back in their homes.

              More recently, AG Masto has been recognized for her work to fight human trafficking. In the 2013 Nevada Legislative Session she successfully sought the passage of AB 67, which created the crime of sex trafficking and gave tools to law enforcement to hold perpetrators accountable.

                The Raggio Award is named in honor of the late William J. Raggio former Washoe County District Attorney and former Nevada State Senator. Click here for a list of for a list of previous recipients.

                  2014-09-12 Raggio Award

                  Suggested Cutline: Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, winner of the 2014 Raggio award, poses with Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson, who nominated Masto for the award.

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