Judge faces misdemeanor charge of battery

The Clark County district attorney's office has filed a misdemeanor battery charge against Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Tony Abbatangelo, who is accused of attacking his wife.

The complaint, filed in Las Vegas Justice Court, accused Abbatangelo of choking his wife, Sue Abbatangelo, on Wednesday. It also accused Abbatangelo of pushing her against a wall, throwing her to a floor and dragging her by the hair.

Abbatangelo, 43, who was on the bench Monday, declined to comment.

District Attorney David Roger said authorities will issue a summons for Abbatangelo. Prior to that, he will be processed through the county jail, which means authorities will take the judge's fingerprints and photo.

An attorney who works with domestic violence cases said it could take up to a month for the courts to issue a summons for Abbatangelo.

Dennis Leavitt, who represents Sue Abbatangelo and is her brother, said she feels bad for her husband.

"She doesn't want anything negative or bad to happen to Tony," Leavitt said.

Sue Abbatangelo is the sister of District Judge Michelle Leavitt.

Sue Abbatangelo filed a report with the Las Vegas police on Wednesday alleging her husband of 13 years became "irate" at the couple's home after she asked him about some passes to a club she found in his wallet, according to a Las Vegas police report.

He grabbed her around the throat, pushed her against the wall and yelled at her, according to the report. Abbatangelo then threw his wife to the floor before dragging her by the hair down a hallway. After Abbatangelo left, Sue Abbatangelo called police, who arrived and took pictures of her injuries.

The day after the alleged attack, Sue Abbatangelo got a temporary protective order in Family Court against the judge. In the order, she states that Abbatangelo has been physically abusing her for more than two years. She said that she and Abbatangelo separated about three months ago.

She didn't report the alleged abuse because she wanted to avoid public humiliation and didn't want Abbatangelo to lose his job, she said in her request for a temporary restraining order.

The temporary protective order prohibits Abbatangelo from contacting his wife and orders him to stay at least 100 yards from their home.

He can still see their four children.

Abbatangelo has served as a Las Vegas justice of the peace since 1996. He also served as a Las Vegas municipal judge for three years.

Contact reporter David Kihara at dkihara@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.