News briefs for March 25, 2002

Monday, March 25, 2002 | 10:59 a.m.

Finalists announced for District Court

Kenneth C. Cory, an attorney in private practice in Las Vegas, is a finalist on lists to replace either District Judge James Mahan or District Judge Stephen Huffaker in Clark County.

The state Judicial Selection Commission met last week in Las Vegas to interview candidates and on Friday sent three names to Gov. Kenny Guinn for each vacant judgeship.

Fourteen candidates applied to succeed Huffaker, who retired. The selection commission nominated Cory, 58, Susan Johnson, 42, who is in private law practice, and Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Jennifer Togliatti, 34.

There were 16 applicants to replace Mahan, who was appointed a federal district judge. Many of the same people applied for both jobs. The selection commission chose Cory, Nancy Allf, 45, who is in private practice, and Municipal Judge Michelle Leavitt, 36.

Suspect arrested after body found

Metro Police arrested Daniel Ludwig Wolff, 32, Friday on charges of murder with a deadly weapon and robbery with a deadly weapon.

Early that morning officers discovered the body of Richard Marotto at his home in the 5200 block of West Alta Drive. The coroner's office said he died from a blow.

Police said their investigation showed evidence that Wolff had pawned items belonging to the victim on the day he was believed murdered. The suspect was also seen driving a car matching one taken from Marotto's house, police said.

It appeared Wolff and Marotto met through mutual friends just before the murder, police said.

Wolff was arrested at his home in the 3000 block of Cabana Drive and booked into the Clark County Detention Center, police said.

Firms approach Nevada doctors

Three unlicensed companies that are not authorized to sell medical malpractice insurance in Nevada have been ordered by state Insurance Commissioner Alice Molasky-Arman to stop doing business in Nevada.

She issued orders against Reliance General Insurance Co., Physician's Exchange Association, Inc., and Doctors Liability Exchange. Molasky-Arman said the bogus companies have names similar to legitimate firms.

Reliance, according to Molasky-Arman, sold one policy and the other two firms made contacts about selling insurance coverage to doctors.

"As the cost of insurance rises, unauthorized companies take advantage of consumers by selling fraudulent insurance," she said.

McCarran receives special award

The Federal Aviation Administration and the Utah Olympic Public Safety Command presented McCarran International Airport with a special award last week for making the Salt Lake City Olympics safe and successful.

During the Olympics, McCarran served as one of four "gateway airports" designated by the FAA as a small aircraft inspection site. McCarran screened 258 small craft during the two-week Olympic period.