Domestic violence charge filed against Las Vegas judge

By Mary Manning

Monday, Nov. 17, 2008 | 2:35 p.m.

Metro Police have filed a misdemeanor domestic violence charge today against Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Tony Abbatangelo after an early morning fight on Wednesday with his wife, Sue, who is the sister of District Judge Michelle Leavitt.

Police asked 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, is alleged in the complaint to have choked his wife at their home during an argument that began about midnight on Wednesday.

The complaint also said that Abbatangelo is alleged to have sat on his wife after pushing her to the ground, threatened to punch her and prevented her from leaving the home.

Metro's Domestic Violence Unit investigated the case after Sue Abbatangelo filed a complaint with police.

Police investigators photographed red marks on Sue Abbatangelo's throat. The wife said she also contacted her sister, Judge Leavitt, who advised Sue Abbatangelo to call police.

The couple has been married for 13 years, according to the police report.