NLV Councilman Cherchio apologizes for inappropriate comments

“In attempting to inject humor into the moment, I made statements that were inappropriate, diminished the qualifications of accomplished professionals, and failed to reflect the respect I hold for women in our community,” Cherchio wrote in a letter to city staff on Thursday.

Cherchio said he would learn from the incident.

“I am truly sorry for the hurt or offense my words may have caused, and I take full responsibility for those comments,” the statement said.

The comments in question came Wednesday as Cherchio and other council members were praising Moore, who has been acting as city attorney since April, prior to voting to make his appointment permanent.

In his comments, Cherchio said his standards were “much, much higher” for this promotion and that he had based his decision on “just two things.”

“One was that I wanted to appoint someone other than a woman this time,” he said.

The past two city attorneys in North Las Vegas were women: Sandra Douglass Morgan, who is now president of the Las Vegas Raiders, and Micaela Moore, who is now is North Las Vegas city manager.

“They were excellent,” Cherchio said about Douglass Morgan and Moore. “And I am hoping that you’ll be able to, maybe not fit those shoes because they wear high heels, but to be able to … have that level, and I know you will.”

Cherchio said his second requirement for the city attorney was that “you have to have a sense of humor.”

Backlash from staff, community

In her own statement, City Manager Micaela Moore said she’d heard from employees and community members who were “understandably upset.”

Micaela Moore said she and Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown spoke with Cherchio “and reminded him of the city’s legal obligations and commitment to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and equitable work environment for everyone.”

City leaders are held to higher professional standards because their words carry weight, Micaela Moore said.

“Any comments that diminish or stereotype individuals run counter to these principles and will not be tolerated in our workplace,” she said.

In a separate statement, Goynes-Brown said Monday that Cherchio’s comments “do not reflect the values we stand for.”

“Our city prides itself on being a leader in fostering diversity, inclusion and mutual respect,” the mayor wrote.

Goynes-Brown added: “To all of the people who live and work in our community, please know that your contributions are deeply appreciated and we remain steadfast in our commitment to maintaining a workplace culture that celebrates professionalism and inclusivity.”

Cherchio has represented Ward 4 since his 2015 election.

Contact Ricardo Torres-Cortez at rtorres@reviewjournal.com.