Justice of the Peace may be charged with domestic violence

By Jeff German

Friday, Nov. 14, 2008 | 5:18 p.m.

Metro Police are recommending a misdemeanor domestic violence charge against Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Tony Abbatangelo over an early morning fight this week with his wife, Sue, who is the sister of District Judge Michelle Leavitt.

"We're reviewing the case to deternmine whether to prosecute him," District Attorney David Roger said late Friday.

Roger said police are asking that one count of misdemeanor domestic battery be filed against Abbatangelo, who has been a justice of the peace since 1996.

Abbatangelo, the current vice chief justice of the peace, allegedly choked his wife at her home during an argument about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, law enforcement sources said.

Later that morning, the sources said, she filed a complaint with police. The couple, sources said, has been having marital problems. Metro's Domestic Violence Unit has been investigating the case.

Sue Abbatangelo's lawyer, Dennis Leavitt could not be reached for comment late Friday. Judge Abbatangelo also could not be reached for comment.

Roger said he would decide early next week whether to file the battery charge against Abbatangelo.