Court briefs for May 18, 2000

Discipline panel to meet Aug. 14

The state Judicial Discipline Commission has scheduled Aug. 14 to begin hearings on charges that Clark County District Judge Donald Mosley misused his office to help him in a child-custody battle.

The commission on Monday decided to set aside the full week for public sessions at the boardroom of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Special prosecutor Mary Boetsch has charged that Mosley, a District Court judge for 16 years, granted favored treatment to those who testified on his behalf during the child-custody proceedings. He is also accused of using his official stationery in a personal matter to influence the outcome.

Mosley has denied the allegations and says his constitutional rights are being violated. The judge and his former girlfriend were involved in a hotly contested battle over their son.

Pair plead guilty in accident case

Two men pleaded guilty Wednesday in Las Vegas to gross misdemeanor charges involving filing a false claim to collect insurance over an alleged car accident.

District Judge John McGroarty set next month for sentencing of Antonio Gonzalez, 30, and Eddie Raidel Santana, 33, who face jail time of up to a year and $2,000 fines.

In January 1998, the two allegedly were involved in a two-car accident. Gonzalez filed a claim against Santana's insurance policy held by Farmers-Mid Century Insurance Co. Both men, while being interviewed, denied knowing each other.

Deputy Attorney General Greg Hojnowski said an investigation showed both men were from Cuba, both lived in the same apartment complex and Gonzalez was involved in a prior accident while driving Santana's car.

Hojnowski said the two admitted their deception after being confronted by the state's Insurance Fraud Unit. Gonzalez has agreed to repay the insurance company $2,012. Sentencing for Gonzalez is June 22 and sentencing for Santana is June 26.

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