A high-speed internet project once hailed as a major breakthrough for rural broadband in Nevada is now under federal scrutiny.
U.S. Attorney for Nevada Sigal Chattah, who was appointed earlier this year, announced that her office has opened a formal investigation into the Uprise Fiber Project in Lovelock. The project received a $27 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), along with a $9 million match from the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), to bring broadband infrastructure to Pershing County and surrounding rural communities.
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada, a division of the U.S. Department of Justice, making this a federal investigation.
“This month, the United States Attorney's Office was brought a case and has now opened an investigation into allegations that misappropriation may have occurred in connection with funding through the USDA and NDOT for the building of broadband high-speed internet access in the Lovelock Project,” Chattah said in a formal statement.
She emphasized the seriousness of the case, citing "overwhelming public interest" in ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used appropriately. “We will conduct a thorough investigation using all investigative tools and resources available under federal law to uncover any facts or evidence related to these allegations,” she said.
No individuals or entities have been formally charged, and Chattah noted that all parties connected to the investigation are presumed innocent. As with most federal investigations, no further updates are expected until the investigation concludes—a process that may take several months.
The Uprise project has faced increasing community concern over transparency, project delays, and unclear implementation, despite its initial promise to bridge the digital divide in rural Nevada. With the U.S Attorney’s office now involved, the stakes—and the scrutiny—have grown significantly.
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