Ex-club owner’s legal ghostwriter receives probation for contempt

A felon who authored court documents for former strip club owner Rick Rizzolo must spend the next three years on probation, a federal judge has decided.

U.S. District Judge Philip Pro made the ruling earlier this month after holding James Kimsey, a self-described paralegal whose prior convictions include perjury and the unlawful practice of law, in contempt of court.

Kimsey's latest legal problems began last year when lawyers involved in a civil case alleged Rizzolo had been perpetrating a fraud on the court by signing documents he did not prepare. The lawyers filed a motion asking that Kimsey, his ghostwriter, be held in contempt .

In October, U.S. Magistrate Judge George Foley barred Kimsey from helping Rizzolo defend the civil case, which was filed by Kirk and Amy Henry. In his decision, Foley concluded that Kimsey had engaged in the unauthorized practice of law on Rizzolo's behalf.

After a bench trial in April, U.S. District Judge Philip Pro found Kimsey guilty of criminal contempt. At a sentencing hearing on Aug. 6, Pro ordered the Las Vegas man to spend three years on probation and perform 150 hours of community service.

Rizzolo, former owner of the Crazy Horse Too Gentleman's Club, went to prison in 2007 after pleading guilty in a tax case to conspiracy to defraud the United States. He was released from prison in April 2008.