Nevada Treasurer Zach Conine Settles Lawsuit with Former Employee Ahead of Attorney general Bid
LAS VEGAS – Nevada State Treasurer Zach ConineS office has reached an undisclosed settlement with Sheila Salehian, a former employee who alleged age and disability discrimination following her 2019 dismissal. The settlement, finalized September 5, averts a trial scheduled for September 11 where Conine was listed as a potential witness.
Salehian filed the lawsuit in 2021, claiming she was fired due to her age – 58 at the time – and a recent skin cancer diagnosis.She managed Nevada’s Millennium Scholarship program before her termination,and her replacement was 38 years old.Salehian argued this age difference, coupled with alleged comments from Conine’s staff regarding her experience, demonstrated unlawful discrimination.
Conine’s office consistently denied the allegations. While a federal district court initially dismissed the lawsuit in October 2023, citing insufficient evidence, a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals panel partially reversed that decision in November 2024, allowing one age-discrimination claim to proceed to trial.
The treasurer’s office previously stated to The Nevada independent in August that it had “already prevailed on 10 of 11 claims originally filed in this case.”
Conine launched his campaign for Nevada Attorney General in May and faces a competitive primary challenge from Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro (D-Las Vegas), who announced her candidacy in July. the primary election is slated for next June.Current Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, a Democrat, is term-limited and is running for governor in 2026.
Representatives for Conine and Salehian did not respond to requests for comment.