Prosecutor presses Del Vecchio case

The special prosecutor for the Nevada Judicial Discipline Commission argued Monday for a complaint against Clark County Family Court Judge Nicholas Del Vecchio to go forward.

Del Vecchio, who is accused of sexual abuse and sexual harassment, previously asked the commission to hold off on going forward with its complaint against him until a complaint with similar allegations in District Court was resolved.

But special prosecutor Mary Boetsch stated Monday in a formal response that civil cases can take years to resolve.

"The public is not protected, the integrity of the judiciary is not maintained, the administration of justice is not served by delaying this matter, especially for what is certainly to be years," she wrote.

In February, Boetsch filed a complaint against Del Vecchio accusing him of sexual misconduct and abuse of power after Del Vecchio's former judicial assistant accused him of coercing her into having sex with him. The assistant later filed a civil complaint against Del Vecchio in District Court.

Only the judicial discipline commission has the authority to remove or suspend a sitting judge. Del Vecchio remains on the bench and faces re-election.

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