March 1, 2017

Discipline panel says Las Vegas judge violated ethics codes

A Las Vegas judge who used the power of her office to do a favor for a friend has been fined $1,000 and publicly reprimanded after a disciplinary panel found “clear and convincing evidence” that she violated professional ethics codes.

The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline announced the sanctions in a Thursday ruling against Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Melanie Andress-Tobiasson. The ruling follows a disciplinary hearing earlier this month at which the judge tearfully admitted wrongdoing.

The punishment amounts to a slap on the wrist for the judge, who will get to keep her lucrative government job that comes with a salary of roughly $170,000 a year. It marks the end of a chapter in a three-year legal saga that began when Andress-Tobiasson improperly intervened in a Canadian divorce case on behalf of Las Vegas attorney Jennifer Bolton.

“It doesn’t seem like the type of reprimand or punishment for what took place,” said Las Vegas attorney Cal Potter, who represents Bolton’s ex-wife, Vivian Wright-Bolton.

Read more: http://www.reviewjournal.com/local/las-vegas/discipline-panel-says-las-vegas-judge-violated-ethics-codes

March 1, 2017

Ex-Las Vegas constable pleads not guilty to theft, wiretapping charges

Former Las Vegas Township Constable John Bonaventura pleaded not guilty Tuesday to theft and wiretapping charges.

An indictment accuses Bonaventura, 54, of wrongfully increasing an employee’s salary to repay a personal debt. It also accuses him of secretly recording phone calls from newspaper reporters, lawyers, a judge and at least one Clark County commissioner.

Along with one count of theft, Bonaventura faces one count of misconduct of a public officer and four counts of unlawful interception of wire communications, all felonies. The crimes occurred between January 2013 and January 2015, when the constable’s office was shuttered, the indictment alleges.

District Judge Richard Scotti set a trial for September.

Read more: http://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/courts/ex-las-vegas-constable-pleads-not-guilty-theft-wiretapping-charges

March 1, 2017

Manziel tries to reassure judge after missing court deadline

DALLAS (AP) — After missing a court-ordered deadline, Johnny Manziel appeared before a judge Tuesday and promised to meet the stipulations required to get the troubled quarterback's domestic violence case dismissed while saying his distrust of the NFL played a part in the delay.

The 2012 Heisman Trophy winner said he doesn't want to disappoint Judge Roberto Canas, who warned that he or a jury could decide Manziel's fate if the deal reached in November is revoked.

The 24-year-old Manziel faced a misdemeanor charge that carried a penalty of up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine after he was accused of hitting and threatening former girlfriend Colleen Crowley during a night out in January 2016. The judge said he called the hearing because Manziel missed a deadline for an update on the progress of meeting his conditions, including one that requires the former Cleveland Browns player to work through the NFL or another agency on a substance-abuse program.

Asked by the judge to explain how things would be going forward, Manziel said he responded quickly when attorney Jim Darnell told him the judge wasn't happy.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2017/02/28/manziel-says-life-trending-upward-despite-judges-concern/98526394/

March 1, 2017

DMV crackdown cites unlicensed auto shops across Las Vegas Valley

Michael Salman has fixed motors, replaced hoses and changed brakes for thousands of vehicles at Expert Auto in Las Vegas for more than 30 years, taking ownership of the garage in 2000.

Every year it’s the same routine: secure permits from Clark County and the Department of Motor Vehicles. Salman said he usually remembers to submit the necessary forms for the business just off Boulder Highway, but “simply forgot” this year.

That slip of the mind resulted in a $500 fine against Salman, who got a personal visit on Tuesday from the DMV’s compliance enforcement team.

“My plate has been full lately, but I guess that’s not an excuse if you want to stay in business,” Salman said as his citation was prepared by Rudolph Ramirez, a DMV investigator.

Read more: http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/dmv-crackdown-cites-unlicensed-auto-shops-across-las-vegas-valley

March 1, 2017

Bulls**t alert! Democrats support bill that would legalize female genital mutilation

By VICTOR JOECKS
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

The Nevada Senate will soon consider a bill that would overturn Nevada’s ban on female genital mutilation, and Senate Democrats are tripping over themselves to vote for it.

Why would anyone support rolling back a ban on something Nevada law defines as sexual abuse?

That’s one of the questions supporters of Senate Joint Resolution 2, the “Equal Rights Amendment” to the U.S. Constitution, should answer before voting on it as early as Wednesday. SJR2 sponsor Sen. Pat Spearman, D-Las Vegas, didn’t respond to my request for comment.

Congress passed the ERA in 1972 as a constitutional amendment, needing the approval of 38 state legislatures within seven years. Even after Congress bypassed constitutional procedure to extend the deadline by three years, only 35 states approved it. Nevada wasn’t one of them.

Read more: http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/columns/victor-joecks/democrats-support-bill-would-legalize-female-genital-mutilation

March 1, 2017

Nevada Supreme Court and Court of Appeals move into new home in Las Vegas

The Nevada Supreme Court and the Nevada Court of Appeals have moved to new offices in downtown Las Vegas.

The new building for the courts, at 408 E Clark Ave., is 10,000 square feet larger than its previous quarters at the Regional Justice Center on Lewis Avenue and boasts a 72-seat courtroom modeled after the first courtroom of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Icons representing Nevada’s 17 counties encircle the new building.

A grand opening and public reception is scheduled for March 27.

Read more: http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/nevada-supreme-court-and-court-appeals-move-new-home-las-vegas

March 1, 2017

FBI terminates Las Vegas-based agent who shot at police sergeant in Michigan in December

The FBI released a statement Tuesday announcing the termination of a Las Vegas-based agent who shot at a police sergeant in Michigan in December.

Ruben Hernandez, 35, pleaded no contest to felonious assault Friday. He was arrested Dec. 6 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, after brandishing a gun at a Planet Fitness. He is accused of firing three shots at the responding sergeant.

“We hold our employees to the highest standards of professional conduct. Mr. Hernandez has been terminated from his position,” according to a statement released by the FBI Tuesday.

Shortly after the arrest, Hernandez’s lawyer said that he only had a “vague, hazy” recollection of the events, likely due to a paranoia attack fueled by alcohol.

Read more: http://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/shootings/fbi-terminates-las-vegas-based-agent-who-shot-police-sergeant-michigan-december

March 1, 2017

Las Vegas judge banned from bench after handcuffing public defender

Ousted Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Conrad Hafen will never again serve as a judge in Nevada, according to the state’s Commission on Judicial Discipline.

Hafen also agreed to public censure and admitted that he violated judicial canons, according to the resolution posted online Monday as the result of four complaints filed with the commission.

He specifically admitted he failed to “act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the independence, integrity and impartiality of the judiciary;” did not uphold the law and “perform all duties of his judicial office fairly and impartially;” and was not “patient, dignified and courteous to litigants, jurors, witnesses, lawyers, court staff, court officials and others he dealt with in his official capacity.”

Hafen drew criticism from groups of defense attorneys after ordering a lawyer handcuffed in court in May.

Read more: http://www.reviewjournal.com/local/las-vegas/las-vegas-judge-banned-bench-after-handcuffing-public-defender

March 1, 2017

Bill allowing guns in libraries fails again

PHOENIX -- State senators voted Tuesday to forever block cities from requiring background checks when people sell weapons at gun shows.

But they balked at opening public buildings to people with guns.

On a 14-16 vote the Senate killed legislation that would have allowed those who have a permit to carry a concealed weapon to bring them in to public buildings like libraries and rec centers. Building operators could maintain that gun-free status only by installing metal detectors and hiring security guards.

Republicans Kate Brophy McGee of Phoenix, Frank Pratt of Casa Grande and Bob Worsley of Mesa joined with Democrats to provide the margin for defeat.

Read more: http://azdailysun.com/news/local/bill-allowing-guns-in-libraries-fails-again/article_3a689f49-1126-52b3-9eed-d15d3814823c.html

March 1, 2017

Developers looking to build the 'next Disney World' in Casa Grande

CASA GRANDE — Mickey Mouse may have a competitor in central Arizona if a new development project under review by the city comes to fruition.

The Block Sports Company, based in Florida, is looking to develop a 1,500-acre “destination resort” near Casa Grande, which it compares to Walt Disney World.

Referred to as Dreamport Villages, the project would develop hundreds of acres near the Interstate 8 and Interstate 10 junction for recreational and residential uses.

Amenities to be built include an indoor recreational facility, water parks, a wildlife animal exhibit, restaurants and an amusement park. Another portion of the project would be reserved for commercial and residential purposes as well as the future construction of a school.

Read more: http://www.pinalcentral.com/casa_grande_dispatch/area_news/developers-looking-to-build-the-next-disney-world-in-cg/article_13c3cfce-31d9-5a0c-92f6-2706a5326fb5.html