More legal problems hit former temporary judge in Henderson

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 | 10:53 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A former temporary judge in Henderson is in more trouble with the state Judicial Discipline Commission -- this time for more than $8,000 in unpaid parking tickets.

The commission filed a complaint Monday against Peter LaPorta, who was a temporary municipal judge and justice of the peace in Henderson.

The complaint, signed by special prosecutor Mary Boetsch of Reno, says that prior to June 1998 LaPorta accrued a "significant number of parking tickets" in Southern Nevada that he did not pay. A judgment of $5,780 was issued against LaPorta.

But he didn't pay that amount and he got more parking tickets so LaPorta's tab is now $8,130. Efforts have been made by city officials in Las Vegas to get LaPorta to pay the outstanding fines, but they have failed.

The city filed a civil suit to collect the money in September 2001, but LaPorta did not respond to that action. A default judgment was entered against him in January 2002, ordering him to pay $8,130 plus interest, but he has not done so.

LaPorta, who could not be reached for comment, has 20 days to answer the complaint.

LaPorta did not answer a 56-count complaint filed by the commission in March charging that he misappropriated $24,000 from a client.

The complaint also said LaPorta's license to practice law was suspended in October 2001, after he failed to or refused to pay dues. He paid the back fees to the bar association in March 2002 and then elected to go on inactive status in the legal profession. But after that he continued to preside over cases in the courts in Henderson.

The commission said since LaPorta failed to file an answer to the first complaint, that will be considered an admission to the facts in the complaint.

The Judicial Commission set a June 24 date for a hearing at the Sawyer State Office Building on both LaPorta complaints. Since LaPorta has given up his right to practice law, he can no longer sit as a judge in Southern Nevada.