Scott Sibley Republican assemblyman found liable in case stemming from real estate deal

A jury on Wednesday ordered Republican Assemblyman Scott Sibley to pay $100,000 to a real estate investor in a civil case that also raised questions about a judge's decision to issue a temporary protective order in the case.

Wednesday's verdict against Sibley, a Henderson resident, stemmed from a lawsuit filed by real estate investor Perry Klein against Klein's former business partner, Alan Rapoport.

Klein alleged in his suit that Rapoport unjustly cut him out of a joint real estate investment deal to build an 11,000-square-foot house at 2 Rue Allard Way in Lake Las Vegas.

Klein also alleged that Sibley abused his position as a process server to have Klein kicked out of the house once it was built.

And allegations detailed in court over a three-week trial included the claim that Rapoport improperly obtained a temporary protective order against Klein from Justice of the Peace Tony Abbatangelo when Klein wasn't able even to be heard on the matter, and Rapoport never appeared before the judge.

Furthermore, Klein's camp also alleged during court proceedings that Sibley and Jason Huffer -- who has managed the campaigns of both the assemblyman and the judge -- played a role in the securing of the protective order.

Sibley did not respond to a request for comment on this story. Abbatangelo referred questions to his attorney, Tony Sgro, who returned one phone call in an effort to provide comment but later could not be reached.

In the courtroom of District Judge Douglas Herndon on Monday, a jury awarded Klein $4.9 million in compensatory damages from Rapoport. The jury ruled against Rapoport for breach of an implied contract, abuse of process, illegal ouster, filing false reports and other claims.

The jury also determined that Sibley was liable for abuse of process and conspiring to oust Klein from the house.

On Wednesday, the jury awarded Klein another $5 million from Rapoport in punitive damages. It also awarded him $100,000 from Sibley on the abuse of process and conspiracy claims.

Rapoport's attorney, David Winter, declined to comment.

After the verdict was returned, Dave Kallas, who heads the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, expressed concerns about how the protective order was issued by Abbatangelo.

The order was issued after a Henderson judge and a District Court judge both declined to issue it.

"In hindsight, it certainly appeared out of the norm ... that they circumvented the system," Kallas said.

Kallas, who is a friend of Klein, went on to say that before the case went to trial, he received a phone call from an attorney in town whom he refused to name. The attorney said he was calling on behalf of Abbatangelo.

"He ... wanted to pass on a message to Mr. Klein that it would probably be in everyone's best interest to let everything go," Kallas said. "I took it as a threat."