Sandoval’s policy director resigns

CARSON CITY — Gov. Brian Sandoval’s general counsel and policy director is out after just over two years on the job.

Sandoval released a statement Friday afternoon announcing Lucas Foletta’s resignation and thanking him for his service.

Sandoval appointed Foletta as his general counsel when he took office in January 2011.

Foletta was a law clerk for Sandoval when he was a federal judge.

Foletta is also a former assistant U.S. attorney who prosecuted mortgage fraud and identity theft cases. He worked for then-U.S. Attorney Greg Brower, who is now a Republican state senator from Reno.

Foletta is the second state official to resign on a Friday afternoon in three weeks. State schools Superintendent James Guthrie handed in his resignation on March 29 as lawmakers headed home for the Easter weekend.