Suspended lawyer Gage seeks end to probation

Suspended Las Vegas lawyer Noel Gage, who pleaded guilty last year to obstruction of justice, wants a federal judge to end his probation early.

According to a motion filed Wednesday, Gage has complied with all the requirements of probation during the past year. He spent the first three months on home confinement and paid a $25,000 fine.

"Nothing is to be gained by extending his punishment beyond this date," defense attorney Thomas Pitaro wrote.

U.S. District Judge Justin Quackenbush, a visiting judge from Washington, sentenced Gage to three years of probation.

The defendant previously paid more than $700,000 to a former client as part of his plea agreement in the high-profile fraud case.

Gage, 73, fought the case for years before pleading guilty to the felony obstruction charge. He entered a type of guilty plea that allowed him to maintain his innocence.

The federal case stemmed from allegations that Gage had participated in a network of Las Vegas physicians and lawyers who defrauded clients by protecting doctors from malpractice lawsuits and sharing kickbacks from legal settlements.

"Mr. Gage has not practiced law since sentencing on June 3, 2010, and his licenses to practice law in Nevada, Texas and Michigan have all been suspended," Pitaro wrote in his motion.

According to the document, Gage "now seeks opportunities other than law."

"In order to fully explore his options, Mr. Gage must be free to travel, often on short notice," Pitaro wrote. "This freedom to travel outside the State of Nevada without prior approval is currently precluded by his probation obligation."

The Gage family also is exploring educational opportunities in La Jolla, Calif., and Las Vegas, according to the motion.

"A final decision cannot realistically be made absent removal of a travel restriction," Pitaro wrote. "Although this type of move could be undertaken while on probation, it would be much less cumbersome and far more practical to first obtain termination of said probation."

Gage's obstruction charge stemmed from an allegation that he had failed to disclose three checks he had written, totaling $1.1 million, as required by a grand jury subpoena.

Contact reporter Carri Geer Thevenot at cgeer@reviewjournal.com or 702-384-8710.