The Governor:

Ruling lets Mazzeo collect evidence in civil rights lawsuit

Governor’s lawyer wanted evidence gathering delayed

Tuesday, March 24, 2009 | 1:09 p.m.

Exhibit photos in Mazzeo case

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Lawyers: Gibbons has no time for Mazzeo right now (2-18-2009)
Governor’s lawyers seek dismissal of Mazzeo lawsuit (1-30-2009)
Proving alleged cover-up won’t be easy (10-27-2008)
The woman suing the governor (10-21-2008)
New details emerge in suit against Gibbons (10-20-2008)
She’s back, lawsuit in hand (10-17-2008)

A federal magistrate this morning refused to stop Chrissy Mazzeo's lawyer from collecting evidence in her civil rights lawsuit alleging Gov. Jim Gibbons assaulted her during a latenight encounter outside a Las Vegas restaurant in October 2006.

Following a hearing, U.S. Magistrate Peggy Leen ruled the lawyer, Robert Kossack, could attempt to obtain phone records and police records related to the incident and try to interview potential witnessses while a federal judge considers a defense motion to dismiss the lawsuit.

Gibbons' lawyer, Pat Lundvall, had asked Leen to put off the evidence gathering until the motion to dismiss was decided. Lundvall and lawyers for the other defendants, including Sheriff Bill Young and the Metro Police Department, have argued in court papers that the suit should be tossed out because it doesn't state any legitimate federal claims.

Lundvall argued in her papers it would be a waste of everyone's time to collect evidence if the suit ultimately is dismissed.

Leen prohibited Kossack from taking the depositions of Gibbons and the other defendants until the dismissal motion is resolved.

She set a June 2 status check in the case.

Mazzeo, a single mother and former cocktail waitress, contends in the suit that her reputation was smeared and her constitutional rights were violated in a wide-ranging cover-up of the encounter.

A police investigation cleared Gibbons of wrongdoing.

Discussion: 9 comments so far…

Comments are moderated by Las Vegas Sun editors. Our goal is not to limit the discussion, but rather to elevate it. Comments should be relevant and contain no abusive language. Comments that are off-topic, vulgar, profane or include personal attacks will be removed. Full comments policy.

By Judy

March 24, 2009

2:27 p.m.

Suggest removal

"A police investigation cleared Gibbons of wrongdoing."

I hope this investigation and lawsuit uncovers the conspiracy among Gibbons, the Sheriff, the DA, Sig and the rest of them.
By Bertsos

March 24, 2009

2:44 p.m.

Suggest removal

Hopefully this is the first step in ridding Nevada of this miserable Governor.
By marianevans

March 24, 2009

3:30 p.m.

Suggest removal

"A police investigation cleared Gibbons of wrongdoing."

No it didn't. It merely found insufficient evidence to proceed with a prosecution. Who edits this stuff - Dan Burns?
By RalphGeek

March 24, 2009

7:02 p.m.

Suggest removal

I'll say one thing for Gov. Gibbons; he has very good taste.
By RalphGeek

March 24, 2009

7:02 p.m.

Suggest removal

I'll say one thing for Gov. Gibbons; he has very good taste.
By jfnance32

March 24, 2009

7:18 p.m.

Suggest removal

This is not really a victory for Mazzeo's.

They really wanted to take depositions of Gibbons and Bill Young.

It is most likely the suit will be dismissed.
By geezelouise

March 24, 2009

9:22 p.m.

Suggest removal

Go Chrissy, go.

Gibbons is an idiot, and you are not.

Kick his butt.
By StanG

March 25, 2009

3:14 p.m.

Suggest removal

Both she and Gibbons agree that both were in the parking garage. She says Gibbons groped her. Gibbons says he was merely helping her to her car. The police picked up all the monitor tapes which would show who was lying. Strangely however, none of the tapes recorded either of them!
The sheriff is a friend of Gibbons.
Lady, that evidence is long gone.
By captainamerica

March 25, 2009

11:35 p.m.

Suggest removal

Where is the FBI? Young should be investigated. Gibbons should be prosecuted. The system is not working for Mazzeo.