Judge charged with domestic battery to plead guilty today

By Jeff German

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Tony Abbatangelo is slated to plead guilty to a misdemeanor domestic battery charge today.

District Attorney David Roger said there is no plea agreement with Abbatangelo, but his office is recommending the minimum punishment. Roger said that is what the office would do for any first-time offender.

Abbatangelo “is being treated the same as any other citizen,” Roger said.

The minimum sentence calls for two days behind bars at the Clark County Detention Center, 48 hours of community service, six months of domestic violence counseling and a $200 fine, Roger said.

Abbatangelo, 43, who is up for reelection in 2010, also faces potential sanctions from the Nevada Judicial Discipline Commission, which courthouse sources said has requested copies of the police reports of the Nov. 12 altercation between Abbatangelo and his wife, Sue, who is the sister of District Judge Michelle Leavitt.

David Sarnowski, the commission’s executive director, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

According to the one-count criminal complaint against Abbatangelo, the judge allegedly choked his wife and threatened to punch her during the fight. The couple were separated at the time.

Roger said his office was prepared to try the battery case Friday in front of visiting Justice of the Peace Richard Glasson of Lake Tahoe.

Instead, Glasson is to accept Abbatangelo’s guilty plea in Justice Court this afternoon by teleconference from Lake Tahoe.

Abbatangelo’s attorney, Thomas Pitaro, declined to comment.

Justice Court officials removed Abbatangelo from hearing domestic violence cases after he was charged last year to avoid any potential conflicts. The removal is expected to remain in effect following Wednesday’s plea.