Las Vegas Realtors CEO Suspended Over Election Scandal

In a startling development that has sent ripples through Nevada’s real estate community, Wendy DiVecchio, the long-serving Chief Executive Officer of Las Vegas Realtors (LVR), has been suspended from her position for 30 days. This suspension stems from serious allegations related to interference in the 2025 election of LVR board officers and directors, as confirmed by multiple real estate agents who spoke to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The gravity of the allegations and the swift response by LVR’s leadership underscores the significance of maintaining integrity within Nevada’s largest real estate organization, which boasts close to 16,000 members.

Internal Memo Reveals Allegations of Election Impropriety

The allegations were first brought to light through an internal memo from LVR President Merri Perry to the organization’s members. The memo, obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, disclosed that LVR has initiated an investigation into "allegations of election impropriety." While the memo refrained from naming DiVecchio or detailing the specific nature of the accusations, it signaled the organization’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

"On August 8, our LVR leadership team was notified of an allegation of abnormalities in the processes and procedures in administering last week’s election for the 2025 LVR Board of Directors," the memo, which was sent via email to LVR members on Monday, stated. This revelation prompted LVR President Merri Perry to call an emergency meeting of the Board of Directors on August 9, where findings related to the election process were reviewed.

LVR's Commitment to Fair Elections

The memo went on to assure members that the Board of Directors does not believe the allegations, even if proven true, impacted the outcome of the election. However, it emphasized that the Board takes any allegations of election impropriety seriously. The memo highlighted the Board's urgent efforts to ensure that the election process was administered fairly and appropriately, with a promise to keep members updated as the investigation progresses.

A Legacy in Jeopardy: Wendy DiVecchio’s Tenure at Risk

Wendy DiVecchio’s suspension marks a significant moment in her long and storied career with LVR. According to her LinkedIn profile, DiVecchio has dedicated over 25 years to the organization, rising to the position of CEO. As a paid employee, rather than an elected official, her role has been pivotal in steering LVR through numerous challenges and successes. The allegations now threaten to overshadow her legacy and raise questions about the integrity of LVR’s leadership.

Attempts to reach DiVecchio for comment by the Review-Journal via phone and email have thus far been unsuccessful, leaving the real estate community to speculate on her response to these serious accusations.

Neutral Third-Party Investigation Launched

In a move to maintain trust within the organization and the broader real estate community, LVR’s Board of Directors has resolved to engage a neutral third party to conduct a thorough investigation into the election's administration. This decision, mentioned in the internal memo, was described as being made "out of an abundance of caution" to determine if any improper actions may have occurred during the election process.

This step is crucial not only for resolving the current allegations but also for restoring confidence in LVR’s governance, especially in the wake of recent incidents that have cast a shadow over the organization’s reputation.

March Incident Adds to LVR's Troubles

This latest controversy is not the first time LVR has found itself in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. In March, a physical altercation between two local real estate agents at an LVR Brokers Forum led to police intervention. Although LVR released a statement acknowledging the incident, it refrained from naming the individuals involved.

"During the meeting, two of the Las Vegas Realtors members in attendance began to argue, leading to a verbal altercation. LVR leaders who were organizing the meeting tried to diffuse the situation and called LVR security to remove one of the members from the meeting. When the member continued to create a disturbance, LVR called the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, who eventually removed the person from the LVR building. There was no physical violence, and no one was hurt. LVR remains committed to fostering an inclusive, positive, and safe environment for its members and others, with safety being our top priority," read the statement attributed to President Merri Perry.

The Path Forward for LVR

As the investigation into the election allegations unfolds, the future of LVR and its leadership remains uncertain. The organization’s ability to navigate this crisis will be critical in determining its credibility and stability moving forward. Members of the Las Vegas real estate community, as well as observers across the state, will be closely watching how LVR handles this challenging situation.

In a real estate market as dynamic and competitive as Las Vegas, the integrity of its leading professional organization is paramount. The outcome of this investigation could have lasting implications not just for LVR but for the broader industry in Nevada.

LVR’s leadership has pledged to uphold the highest standards of fairness and transparency, and the coming weeks will test their ability to deliver on that promise. As this story develops, the Las Vegas real estate community will await further updates with anticipation, knowing that the stakes could not be higher for Wendy DiVecchio, LVR, and the industry they serve.