Columnist Jeff German: Galardi in public spotlight again

Friday, Nov. 4, 2005 | 9:40 a.m.

With Michael Galardi's history of big-time indiscretions, getting busted this week on a misdemeanor domestic-battery charge is fairly inconsequential.

"Of all the baggage Mr. Galardi carries around, this is a purse," says Stan Hunterton, a seasoned criminal defense attorney who has been watching the political corruption cases revolving around Galardi.

In other words, federal prosecutors, who may use the ex-strip club mogul as a witness in the upcoming bribery case against three former county commissioners, can't be too worried that his credibility could sink any lower.

This is a guy who pleaded guilty in 2003 to basically handing out as much as $400,000 in bribes to local politicians for nearly a decade in exchange for preferential treatment for his topless clubs.

Pushing his girlfriend around, although not very smart, pales in comparison.

Still, prosecutors can't be happy with Galardi's latest brush with the law.

"They can dress him up, but they can't take him out," says one longtime defense lawyer.

Prosecutors, it seems, have been unable to impress upon Galardi the importance of maintaining a low profile and staying out of trouble as the corruption trial approaches in March.

Two years after entering his plea, Galardi still hasn't been sentenced, and he continues to live a life of luxury in a $17 million home in the exclusive Queensridge development on the valley's west end.

Maybe prosecutors already have decided that they don't need to call Galardi as a witness and don't care that he's still running around town like he owns it.

According to the police arrest reports, Galardi's clash with his live-in girlfriend of four years, Nevita Thompson, began early Tuesday while the couple were having drinks with friends at the N9NE steakhouse -- a popular Palms hangout for celebrities and movers and shakers.

The spat likely hasn't escaped the attention of defense lawyers who are looking for post-conviction relief in court for their clients in the companion San Diego corruption case.

San Diego federal prosecutors called Thompson to the witness stand in June to corroborate Galardi's testimony -- which she did -- that he had paid $10,000 in cash bribes to a couple of councilmen.

What might Thompson have to say about the bribes now, if she and Galardi are on the outs?

At N9NE, the police reports say, Thompson became upset with Galardi and slapped him in the face.

Thompson told police she hit her boyfriend because he said, "You're nothing but a f ... whore."

The argument carried over to the Queensridge estate, where police were called to the scene.

Galardi told officers that Thompson was the aggressor again.

He described her as "hysterical" and said that she was pushing and punching him and that he responded by "pushing" her away.

Thompson, however, said Galardi grabbed her by the neck and threw her down several times.

Each claimed the other had thrown items their way in the tussle, the reports say. A glass door in the game room was reportedly shattered.

Galardi said Thompson threw her purse and a gold watch she was wearing at him, while Thompson claimed Galardi ripped the watch off her wrist, saying, "It's mine anyway."

By 2:15 a.m., police concluded that there were no signs of any injuries, but they decided to arrest both on domestic battery charges.

Thompson was taken into custody for hitting Galardi at the Palms and transported to the county detention center.

Galardi was arrested for assaulting Thompson at his mansion and booked into the city jail.

Both were later released, but there's been no word on whether they're back together.