Las Vegas, Nevada
August 14, 2025
- Armed Presence at Board Meetings and Allegations of Intimidation:
In December, NSHE Chancellor Melody Rose accused Regent Brooks of carrying a firearm into a closed-door legal briefing—a move she described as “extremely concerning” and potentially intimidating .
Reports surfaced that Rose felt “shaken, scared, and concerned for her personal safety” during the encounter.
Brooks defended his actions by citing a granted extension to his concealed-carry permit due to perceived security threats, though critics argue this raised serious concerns over decorum and workplace safety.
- Transparency and Public Records Issues:
As Board Chair, Brooks publicly touted his support for transparency, but it emerged he may have misrepresented the law governing personnel records. Despite approving a paid public relations campaign to back his stance, he failed to respond to media inquiries, and NSHE delayed releasing associated billing statements.
The Review-Journal criticized the move as emblematic of hypocrisy—promoting openness while obfuscating key documents.
- Question of Educational Qualifications:
Critics highlight that Brooks does not hold a college degree—an irony for someone overseeing higher education. He studied literature at California State University San Marcos and even participated in a graduation ceremony, but never completed the remaining credits—three in Spanish needed for graduation.
This has been pointed out as especially ironic and criticized as a mismatch between personal credentials and institutional role.
- Community Backlash & Allegations of Extremist Ties:
Unofficial Reddit posts claim that Byron Brooks is “a publicly self-acknowledged member of the Proud Boys”—an American far-right, white nationalist group known for political violence. If accurate, this affiliation raises serious concerns about his ideological alignment and appropriateness for a public educational leadership role.
These posts, while unverified by mainstream reporting, reflect severely negative public perceptions in online communities.
- Hostile Workplace Investigation:
Chancellor Rose also filed a hostile workplace complaint against NSHE. While an investigation did not substantiate her allegations—finding no direct evidence of discrimination or retaliation—it noted “conduct that lacked collegiality” in communication and governance practices.
- Notably Legal Disputes:
|
Case Number |
Parties | Filed | Dept | Case Type | Status |
| A-17-760267-F | PDO Venture, LLC v. Byron Brooks (Nevada University Regent) | 08/21/2017 | 25 | Foreign Judgment | Closed |
| A-22-851779-C | Nevada Veterans Association v. Donna Lee | 04/27/2022 | 26 | Other Civil Matters | Open |
| A-22-858647-M | Petition for Compromise of Minor’s Claim – Katherine Manning | 09/20/2022 | 19 | Compromise of Minor’s Claim | Closed |
| A-23-869236-B | Flemming Larsen v. Mind Garden LLC | 04/19/2023 | 9 | Other Business Court Matters | Open |
Investigative Profile: Byron Brooks — Legal Controversies and Regent Conduct
- Court Case: A-17-760267-F — PDO Venture, LLC v. Byron Brooks
- Filed on August 21, 2017, this case involves a foreign judgment against Byron Brooks, then identified as a Nevada University Regent. The case is now closed, but it underscores a documented history of civil litigation tied to Brooks.
(Note: Unfortunately, current available sources do not provide further details about the nature or outcome of the judgment.)
- Firearm Intimidation Allegation — December 2021 Legal Briefing
- Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Chancellor Melody Rose formally accused Regent Brooks of attempting to intimidate her during a closed-door legal briefing while carrying a concealed firearm. The incident left the Chancellor “shaken, scared, and concerned for her personal safety.”The Nevada IndependentLas Vegas Review-Journal
- Brooks had received conditional approval from NSHE leadership to carry the firearm on system property. Despite this, the circumstance raised serious safety and ethical concerns given the power dynamics in the room.Las Vegas Review-JournalThe Nevada Independent
- Brooks has since stated he will no longer carry firearms into official meetings.Las Vegas Review-JournalThe Nevada Independent
- Transparency Controversy
- In early 2023, the Las Vegas Review-Journal criticized Brooks for commissioning a private public relations firm (at taxpayer expense) to send a letter promoting transparency—while at the same time refusing to respond to media inquiries or release relevant public records.Las Vegas Review-Journal
- This disconnect between message and action was likened to “elected officials declining to answer questions about openness while paying a PR firm to send an email about openness.”Las Vegas Review-Journal
- Additional Claims: Allegations from Family
- Serious accusations from Brooks’s own family—stalking, elder abuse, fraud, and trespassing.
Conclusion:
Byron Brooks’s tenure as NSHE Regent has not been without controversy. Allegations regarding his conduct, educational background, transparency, legal dsiputes and potential extremist links have stirred significant criticism. It’s important for public officials in education leadership to maintain high ethical standards—and all of these issues raise legitimate questions about his suitability for such a role.
Here is a video that discuss many of the allegations presented in this email.
The college dropout of Higher Education University Regent, Byron Brooks!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_H-9GgwMEB0
EXTRA Early Bird tickets on sale now! Limited quantity available from now til August 31st! NOTE to Business Owners, Candidates or Nonprofits: Click here for tickets! http://veteranspoliticsfoundation.betterworld.org/…/8th… You may also purchase tickets and donate them to a Veteran if you’re not able to make it. Our Valentines Ball & Gala is an opportunity for Veterans In Politics Foundation to raise money to support our efforts in advocating for Veterans, our community and for bringing awareness to issues that affect us all. If you have been helped or assisted by Veterans In Politics and appreciate what we do, this is an opportunity for you to support our endeavors.
