Ex-Conforte attorney disbarred

Monday, Nov. 27, 2000 | 11:14 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court, in a 5-2 decision, has disbarred a Reno lawyer who acted as a frontman for former brothel owner Joe Conforte in a clandestine purchase of a house of prostitution in Storey County after it was closed by the Internal Revenue Service.

The court said today the conduct of attorney Peter Perry was "egregious" in disregarding the law over a period of years.

The decision overturns the recommendation of the Northern Nevada Disciplinary Board, which in a 3-2 vote, suggested Perry be suspended for two years based on a federal wire fraud conviction in connection with the brothel purchase.

Under a plea agreement, Perry pleaded guilty to a reduced charge and in return agreed to testify against others including Conforte who is reportedly living in Brazil as a fugitive awaiting trial.

The IRS closed the Mustang Ranch brothel, which was owned by Conforte, in a bankruptcy proceeding some 10 years ago. Conforte, through a corporation with Perry's help, then secretly purchased the property.

Perry testified Conforte continued to collect profits from the business, about 15 miles east of Reno, until it was shut down in the past year.

On his plea in federal court, Perry was sentenced to six months in a community center and three years of supervised release.

The court said Perry "was convicted on one count because of his cooperation with law enforcement; however, the record reflects that he engaged in a course of conduct over a period of several years in disregard of the law."

Justice Bill Maupin and Chief Justice Bob Rose argued the recommendation for suspension by the disciplinary board should be followed. They said that mitigating circumstances warrants a less severe penalty.

They said Perry faced threats to himself and to his family because of his cooperation with federal officials.

"Also, the federal agent that conducted the underlying criminal investigation testified to his belief in Perry's rehabilitation and expressed his non-opposition to future reinstatement of Perry to the practice of law."