...Abbatangelo then choked her until she had trouble breathing, yelled at her and spit into her face, according to the temporary restraining order. The couple continued to fight in the house. She contends he grabbed her by the hair and dragged her through a hallway...ALLEGED WEDNESDAY FIGHT: Wife accuses LV judge of abuse
Prosecutors will decide next week whether to file charge
Las Vegas Review-Journal
By DAVID KIHARA
Nov. 15, 2008
A Las Vegas justice of the peace is being accused of physically abusing his wife and could face a charge of battery.
Sue Abbatangelo, the wife of Justice of the Peace Tony Abbatangelo, accused her husband of grabbing her by the neck, choking her and screaming at her during a fight at the couple's home Wednesday.
She further accused the judge of physically abusing her over a two-year period.
Las Vegas police interviewed her Wednesday and submitted a report to the county prosecutor's office alleging one count of battery domestic violence against the judge.
District Attorney David Roger said Friday that his office received the complaint and will decide next week whether to file a criminal charge against the judge.
Abbatangelo, on the advice of his attorney, declined to comment.
His wife, who filed the complaint, also declined to comment.
Sue Abbatangelo is the sister of District Judge Michelle Leavitt.
Abbatangelo, 43, has served as a justice of the peace since 1996. He earned his law degree from the University of San Diego Law School in 1990. He was in private practice for three years before serving as a Las Vegas municipal judge from 1993 to 1996.
The couple have been married for 13 years and have four children together. But sources said Abbatangelo and his wife have been having problems in recent years.
They separated about three months ago because of Abbatangelo's abuse and infidelity, Sue Abbatangelo stated in a temporary restraining order filed with Family Court on Thursday.
Abbatangelo isn't allowed to contact his wife and must stay at least 100 yards from his wife's house, the order states. He is allowed to see his children as often as he wants.
Sue Abbatangelo stated the judge has been "choking and attacking" her for more than two years. She stated that she didn't report the abuse because she wanted to avoid public humiliation and worried that the judge would lose his job.
She stated that Abbatangelo was at their home near Lone Mountain Road and Durango Drive on Wednesday to watch several of their children. She arrived home about 1 p.m. and they got into a fight because, she claims, he's been going to Seamless, a topless club.
She claims Abbatangelo grabbed her by the neck and shoved her against a wall. Abbatangelo then choked her until she had trouble breathing, yelled at her and spit into her face, according to the temporary restraining order.
The couple continued to fight in the house. She contends he grabbed her by the hair and dragged her through a hallway. She eventually got away and hid in the backyard of the house until he left, she stated. She added that once she returned to the house, Abbatangelo returned but it was only to get his medication.
Sue Abbatangelo suffered noticeable injuries to her neck, according to a Las Vegas police domestic battery report taken about an hour after the incident.
The report states Sue Abbatangelo was crying, nervous and fearful.
Abbatangelo has a good reputation among attorneys. [ SO?] He received high marks earlier this year in the Review-Journal's annual survey, Judging the Judges, with 90 percent of respondents saying he should keep his job.
In 2001, the Asian Chamber of Commerce chose him as the elected official of the year.
Review-Journal writer Carri Geer Thevenot contributed to this report. Contact reporter David Kihara at dkihara@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.
1039.http://www.lvrj.com/news/34511254.html
I went to law school with "Tone" and he was a violent person, most especially to women. He has a track record of doing what he wants to do; he is very egocentric. He has a record that has been sealed--something his parents arranged--and so I suspect there has been prior legal issues. We never saw any abuse of girlfriends; however, there were some that accused him of that. Long story short, it is ludicrous to think that the DA is thinking about what to do. Please! If he was not a judge, he would have spent the weekend in jail. The public should demand equity here, if nothing else.
ReplyDeleteHa! I went to law school with Tony too...So, why didn't he get arrested? This is a tragedy!
ReplyDeleteI went to law school with Tony too! So, why wasn't he arrested? This is so pathetic! If he was not a judge, he would be arrested in a heart beat. Tony always bragged about having "juice"...Guess it still works.
ReplyDeleteI dated Tony Abbatangelo. This is so typical of this egocentric man. I kept quiet about the way he treated me and what he did to me, just to avoid the backlash that Sue is receiving from this community. What happened to supporting the victim? He beat her--this is what Sue reported to the police,not what she told the media or anyone else. Have you ever known anyone that went through this process? They don't make it easy. I am really appalled that this community is not coming together to help this woman. Anyway, don't let his guy's knowledge of the rule of law fool you; he is not a good person. I hope that Abbatangelo has to participate in the judicial process in the most fair manner. I want to see him treated like everyone else.
ReplyDeleteInnocent until proven guilty, right?
ReplyDeleteThe charges certainly surprise me. As a Nevada attorney, I've heard nothing but nice things about the Judge. If all these anonymous folks have some relevant information to share with the police, they ought to do so.
I agree that the judge is innocent until proven guilty, and that relevant information should be shared with the police. I am not sure a past history as described here can be used against the judge though, or if it is even relevant? I mean, he attended law school around twenty years ago! From what some of these people say, it does not surprise them that he acted this way; however, does it actually implicate him in this crime?
ReplyDeleteMore at issue, I believe, is that he received special treatment here. Most citizens would be arrested within 24 hours based on the fact that Ms. Abbatangelo had visible signs of abuse and that there were possible witnesses.
If you know Sue, you know she isn't lying. Tony has always been hot headed. I've known both of them seperately for over 20 years. One thing is for sure, Tony is charming and drinks too much and Sue is honest and stuck in a bad marriage.
ReplyDeleteInteresting...When I knew Tony years ago he drank too much and was very charming! He also had a horrible temper. Seems like not much has changed. I really feel sorry for Sue because I always thought Tony was capable of this kind of thing. Unlike many, this does not suprise me in the least.
ReplyDeleteI went to school with Sue and I am so sorry to learn that she is a victim of the abuse he has now been convicted of. I am outraged that this scum is still on the bench; this sends the wrong message to women everywhere. May the judge burn in hell and I will give money to his opponent when he is up for re-election. I no longer live in Nevada, but it is my home and this scum should not have the honor of serving the great people of Nevada!
ReplyDeleteThank you for alerting me that I had missed something.
ReplyDeleteJUDGE CHARGED WITH DOMESTIC BATTERY TO PLEAD GUILTY TODAY
Las Vegas Sun
By Jeff German
Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009
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... [Visiting Justice of the Peace Richard] Glasson is to accept Abbatangelo’s guilty plea in Justice Court this afternoon by teleconference from Lake Tahoe. 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. [Full article here]
I almost got set up on a date with him before he got married and I am glad I had the sense to surmise something wasn't right with him or it could have been me he would have been abusive to. If he did, and if I got up off the floor, there would have been nothing left of him.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget he made headlines being part of a conspiracy with Scott Sibley and Jason Huffer. He has many indiscretions and abuses his power. It wont be long before something will have to be done about him and he will be fired. His days on the bench are numbered I suspect.
ReplyDeleteThis judge is unfit to hold ANY kind of public office. His temperament demonstrates that. He is a convicted domestic batterer. If the voters don't remove him from the bench at the next election they are guilty of enabling him in his misconduct.
ReplyDeleteI HAVE KNOWN TONY FOR TWENTY YEARS. AND I BELIEVE THAT HE MAY HAVE A TEMPER BUT ALSO HAS A GOOD HEART. I FEEL AS THOUGH MANY PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO SEE HIM FLOURISH. I WILL SUPPORT HIM IN THE UP COMING ELECTION. THIS IS JUST SOMETHING TO TRY AND BRING HIM DOWN, BUT YOU CAN'T KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN. I DO NOT SUPPORT THE FACT THAT HE AND HIS WIFE HAVE HAD DISPUTES THAT HAVE INVOLVED LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT HE IS NOT THE FIRST OFFICIAL THAT HAS HAD A PHYSICAL CONFRONTATION WITH THEIR SIGNIFICANT OTHER AND I'M SURE HE WON'T BE THE LAST. I DO HOPE THAT THE ABATANGELO'S CAN RECONCILE THIER MARRIAGE, 13YEARS AND CHILDREN.
ReplyDeleteIF SUE FEELS THAT SHE HAS SO BAD, SHE SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN OUT ALONG TIME AGO.
I WILL SUPPORT ABATANGELO IN THIS 2010 ELECTION.
R.MACK
PHOENIX,AZ
You would do well to go to Google and type in a search,
ReplyDeletedomestic violence - why women stay.
There are many reasons.
Tony was engaged to my sister...Left her practically at the alter when he ran off to Florida with a stripper he met at a bar four days before their wedding. Best thing that ever happened to my sister; she dodged a bullet! But, honestly, at the time it really devastated my sister. He was never sorry or remorseful, but instead his parents tried to intimidate my sister by suing her for wedding gifts and crap like that. He has a history of being less than decent to woman, and learned from his defense attorney father how to screw people. I do feel sorry for any woman that gets involved with him. I think he lives a secret life. If you really know him, you know a person that is very narcissistic.
ReplyDeleteTony is a loose cannon at home and on the bench. Women should give pause when they consider casting their vote for him, paticularly if they think Tony's abuse is exclusive to his own wife. Tony trampled a Henderson womens civil rights because it was in the interest of his campaign finance manager and a donor, who were handling an Investors needs. When Tony's advice failed the Investor in Henderson, Tony had them bring their issues in "the back door" of his Las Vegas chambers on the technicality he provided the group. That is where Tony "did justice". Without a police report,he issued a protective order for the purpose of evicting the women from her home, something the Henderson courts refused to do. This women, alleged of no violence herself, but considered "in the way" of a big event they all attended the next day at her estate. Life is sometimes stranger than fiction as is often the case in Abbatangelo's court. More chapters to written soon.
ReplyDeletePlease be cautious about lumping people together under domestic violence. Tony Abbatangelo must stand alone on his domestic violence charges and history. Mr. Klein and his attorney, David Winterton violated confidential and what today is HIPAA protected material to obtain telephone records that they distorted to create a case that has nothing to do with domestic violence. It has to do with greed and abuse of legal processes. Domestic Violence is a very serious criminal act that deserves the spotlight and should not be opportunistically used to serve any other purpose.
ReplyDeleteDr. Karin Huffer
y'all are dumb as fuck haha! oh i feel so bad blah blah blah shit like this happens everyday all ver the world and you sorry saps are all bitching about a judge who did it. who cares its her own damn fault she didnt get out. "oh go look up why women don't leave...." haha it's cause the ones who don't get out early enough are to scared to be alone in the world because they are all cushy with their hubbies. America for once just live your own damn lives for real shit
ReplyDeleteI let that last comment through only to show the kind of people some victims have to deal with. Life is wild.
ReplyDeleteI met Mr. Abbatangelo at Andy Leavitt's house at Thanksgiving, 2000, and came away with a negative impression that I haven't been able to shake in ten years. I'm reminded of it every time I pass by his campaign signs. He didn't do anything overtly hostile, he was just less-than-friendly. At the time he and his wife had an infant and seemed to be the picture of happiness. I'm sorry to know things deteriorated to that degree. It's nice to know I can trust my first impressions. ...
ReplyDeleteI had to remove the 2nd part of this comment but here's the first part:
ReplyDelete"In March, Abbatangelo agreed to be publicly censured by the State Bar of Nevada. He has agreed to not sit on the bench or run for political office for the next four years.
If you have seen the cheesy commercials, you probably know that he is currently employed at the office of Attorney Glen Lerner working on criminal defense..."
Glen Lerner Demonstrates That He Is A Very Poor Judge Of Character By Retaining Tony Abbatangelo As A Member Of His Law Firm. It Looks Like They Deserve Each Other, As They Are Both Ethically Challenged. Their Bad Reputations Cast A Bad Pall On The Legal Community In Las Vegas.
ReplyDelete