Thread by @MichelleRindels

After an all-day hearing in Washoe County, Judge Barry Breslow says he finds the state (DETR) IS in contempt of a July court order to pay or resume paying certain groups of unemployment claimants.

Judge acknowledges that his order was too short, and his call to have DETR pay these claimants within a week "was unrealistic."

"The court apologizes," Breslow says. "Nevertheless, here we are in December and we still have issues."

Judge says DETR "exemplified extraordinary effort to comply and get people their benefits."

Notes state faces severe consequences if it pays money in violation of federal guidelines.

"Those are serious concerns ... but those were concerns made ... in the summer."

Judge is praising witnesses for both sides, especially DETR staff, but indicates that some state staff are "marching to the wrong tempo" and another has a worldview of the state's role that is "unfortunately inconsistent with this court's view of the law."

Court's finding of contempt is specific to state's actions regarding about 9,000 people who were being paid and whose payments stopped without an allowable reason for the stoppage and without a hearing.

Judge imposes a $1,000 fine on the state, due within 30 days.

State could face additional sanctions if if fails to resume payments for this group of people by Christmas Eve.

A hearing to check on the status of the case is set for New Year's Eve at 9 a.m.

Parties in agreement that if the state can demonstrate a claimant is already getting paid by another program or another state, DETR doesn't need to double pay them again.

Hearing adjourns.