“Lee did not respond to the Current’s request for comment on Ahern”
New reporting from the Nevada Current highlights far-right Republican John Lee’s relationship with self-proclaimed “good friend” Don Ahern, a Republican donor facing calls for an investigation into his lengthy history of “repeatedly using racial slurs in the workplace.”
Ahern, a “prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump and… John Lee,” has “regularly and frequently’ used the n-word and made discriminatory comments about other marginalized groups,” according to a lawsuit involving a former employee.
John Lee, who was endorsed by convicted felon Donald Trump, has a lengthy history with Ahern, accepting “more than $45,000… between 2004 and 2021” and another $4,950 towards his current campaign.
DCCC Spokesperson Lauryn Fanguen:
“John Lee’s tight-knit relationship with Don Ahern is further proof that he does not represent the values of Nevada’s 4th Congressional district. His long standing association with a man accused of such bigoted and harmful language is alarming and disqualifying.”
A national civil rights leader is calling on Nevada to investigate a prominent Las Vegas businessman and Republican donor following allegations he repeatedly used racial slurs in the workplace and once pulled a gun on a Black truck driver.
The Rev. Al Sharpton wrote a letter to Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford calling for an investigation into Don Ahern, who made his name and fortune as a construction equipment tycoon and has become a prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump and other GOP candidates, including congressional hopeful John Lee.
Sharpton’s call for an investigation, first reported by The Hill last month, came in response to documents surfaced from a now-settled 2022 lawsuit brought by a former Ahern Rentals employee in California. Mark Townsend alleged Ahern as CEO “regularly and frequently” used the n-word and made discriminatory comments about other marginalized groups. CNBC reported on the allegations ahead of Trump’s most recent visit to Las Vegas, where Ahern co-hosted a private fundraiser for the former president with suggested donation levels ranging from $1,000 per person to more than $840,000 per couple.
Townsend alleged Ahern made repeated racist, sexist and ageist remarks during business meetings, including saying:
“We don’t like hiring n—–s. They are dumb. They are just born that way.”
“We do not hire any n——s or women for the sales force or positions where they are first seen by the public.”
“We need to get rid of all the old f——s, n—–s, Mexicans, and women, because they’re useless.”
In his lawsuit, Townsend also alleged that Evan Ahern, the CEO’s son, said, “We do not hire n—–s at Ahern Rentals.” To which Don Ahern allegedly responded, “Or fat people, they have way too many health issues.”
In December, Ahern and his wife, Carolyn Lee Ahern, both donated $4,950 to Republican John Lee’s congressional campaign. Trump has endorsed Lee.
Ahern’s financial support of Lee goes back to at least 2004… According to the state’s campaign finance disclosure database, Ahern companies have donated more than $45,000 to Lee between 2004 and 2021, his last year running for statewide office.
In social media posts, Lee has referred to Ahern and Lloyd Benson, president of a vocational training company owned by Ahern, as “good friends” and acknowledged they have hosted campaign events for him. Benson was listed as a co-host of the most recent Trump fundraiser in Las Vegas.
Lee did not respond to the Current’s request for comment on Ahern.
Lee is challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford in Nevada’s 4th Congressional District.
