OMG: Nevada DHHS Specialist Caught on Camera Admitting to “Bending the Rules” to Provide Benefits for Illegal Aliens – Nevada Governor Responds

| Published May 30, 2025

The O’Keefe Media Group released undercover footage featuring Deshaun Eli Mack, a Family Services Specialist with the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). In the video, Mack claims to have manipulated state policies to provide extended emergency Medicaid benefits to undocumented immigrants. He states, “I get them emergency medical all the time… I just approve them for 12 months because I can,” despite regulations requiring monthly reapplication for such benefits. Mack also mentions that the agency avoids cooperation with federal immigration authorities, asserting, “We would never call ICE. We do not work with them ever.”

When confronted with the recordings, Mack initially denied wrongdoing but later admitted, “I lie all the time,” suggesting he may have exaggerated his actions to impress the undercover journalist.

In response to the video’s release, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo announced that the incident would be thoroughly investigated. He emphasized that if the investigation determines any unlawful acts occurred, appropriate actions will be taken.

This incident has sparked discussions about the enforcement of eligibility rules within Nevada’s welfare system and the extent of discretion exercised by individual caseworkers. It also raises questions about the oversight mechanisms in place to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.

The implications of the Nevada DHHS undercover video are significant across legal, political, and administrative domains:

1. Policy & Legal Oversight

Violation of Medicaid regulations: If the admissions in the video are verified, it suggests state workers may be approving benefits beyond the legal scope, raising concerns of Medicaid fraud.
Federal non-compliance: Statements about refusing cooperation with ICE could place Nevada’s DHHS under scrutiny for violating federal guidelines or harboring sanctuary-like policies.

2. Public Trust & Government Accountability

Erosion of public confidence: The idea that a government employee can “bend the rules” at will undermines trust in the integrity of public assistance programs.
Demands for reform: The public and state legislators may push for tighter oversight, stricter training, or new laws to prevent misuse of discretionary authority.

3. Political Fallout

Immigration policy debate: The video adds fuel to ongoing debates over benefits provided to undocumented immigrants, potentially strengthening calls for stricter immigration and entitlement policies.
Partisan tension: It may become a flashpoint between state and federal authorities or between Republican and Democrat policymakers in Nevada.

4. Operational Changes

Internal investigations and firings: DHHS could face audits, and specific personnel—including Mack—may be terminated or prosecuted if wrongdoing is confirmed.
Rule enforcement: Agencies may implement tighter controls to prevent similar rule-bending by employees.

Here’s a breakdown of potential legal consequences, governor’s options, or impact on immigration debates.

1. Potential Legal Consequences

For the Employee (Deshaun Eli Mack):
If proven, actions like knowingly falsifying benefit eligibility could lead to:
- Termination
- Charges of fraud or misconduct in public office
- Civil or criminal liability for misuse of taxpayer funds
For the Agency (Nevada DHHS):
- Federal audits of Medicaid administration
- Potential loss of federal funding if systemic noncompliance is found
- Lawsuits from watchdog or taxpayer groups

2. Governor’s Options

Governor Joe Lombardo can:

Order an independent investigation to determine if Mack’s statements were exaggerated or reflective of broader DHHS practices.
Implement emergency reforms such as:
- Mandatory audits
- Revised eligibility protocols
- Whistleblower protections to encourage internal reporting
Coordinate with federal agencies to show compliance and avoid federal penalties.

3. Impact on Immigration Debates

Nationally:
The video is likely to be cited in arguments for stricter border controls and tighter screening of public benefits for undocumented immigrants.
In Nevada:
May prompt proposals to:
- Bar non-citizens from certain benefits
- Require cross-agency data verification (e.g., ICE-DHHS communication)
- Increase penalties for fraudulent filings
Politically:
It could mobilize voters on both sides—those pushing for more enforcement and those defending access to healthcare as a human right.

Overall Takeaway:

The undercover video exposing a Nevada DHHS specialist allegedly admitting to manipulating Medicaid eligibility for undocumented immigrants is more than an isolated controversy—it’s a flashpoint that highlights vulnerabilities in state welfare systems, sparks urgent legal and ethical questions, and intensifies the national debate over immigration and entitlement policies.

Whether the employee was boasting or genuinely subverting policy, the incident demands a serious response. It underscores the need for stronger oversight, clearer enforcement of benefit regulations, and accountability within public institutions. Politically, it could influence both state and national conversations on immigration, public spending, and government trust.

SOURCES: THE GATEWAY PUNDIT – OMG: Nevada DHHS Specialist Caught on Camera Admitting to “Bending the Rules” to Provide Benefits for Illegal Aliens – Nevada Governor Responds