Son’s job leaves Davidovici judge with some explaining to do

Talk about an awkward moment.

It's not every day a U.S. district judge holds a hearing to tell us that he doesn't know where his adult son works.

But just such a hearing occurred Thursday afternoon in U.S. District Judge Kent Dawson's courtroom after questions about the employment of son Brian K. Dawson were broached by reporters following lenient sentencing on a tax charge of ousted Strip nightclub impresario Steve Davidovici in connection with a $7 million tip-concealing scheme at Pure Nightclub.

As it turns out, Brian Dawson does not live with his family and has been working as a bartender at the Gallery Nightclub inside Planet Hollywood. Davidovici defense attorney David Chesnoff allowed that he believed his client had once been a consultant to the nightclub.

On Wednesday, Dawson sentenced Davidovici to eight months of home confinement after he pleaded guilty to filing a false income tax return for 2006. Davidovici also agreed to pay $141,306 in back taxes. As the managing partner of Pure in Caesars Palace, Davidovici directed a tip-skimming operation that generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in untaxed income for its participants.

Although Davidovici's attorneys produced a 26-page memorandum in support of leniency that described the defendant in glowing and charitable terms, Dawson said he was moved by the physician's report that indicated the tax cheat had incurred a serious eye condition possibly related to the stress of the investigation.

Meanwhile, former Pure doorman and Davidovici gofer Mikel Hasen on Wednesday received a 366-day sentence from Dawson. I'm guessing Hasen now wishes he had brought a doctor's excuse, too.

Speaking softly from the bench Thursday, Dawson noted up front that the hearing was the direct result of press inquiries about his son's employment status. The judge emphatically denied knowing where Brian Dawson worked. Judge Dawson also noted that the Gallery Nightclub is mentioned nowhere in the government's filings.

Chesnoff said it was his belief that his client "had no equity interest in the club Gallery" and that he was "unaware based on my readings" of any issues that might be considered a conflict.

Speaking by phone, Department of Justice tax division trial attorneys Christopher Maietta and Joseph Rillotta restated their objections to Davidovici's light sentence, but they offered no evidence or information that would indicate they believed the judge was in conflict in any way. Maietta asked for additional time to "consider what other options that might be available to us." Prosecutors had sought an 18-month sentence.

A status check in the case has been set for 9 a.m. July 9.

The usually loquacious
Chesnoff was uncharacter-istically reserved following the hearing. He declined comment.

And, just like that, the awkward moment passed.

ON THE BOULEVARD: In the wake of his civil rights lawsuit against local law enforcement, Mongols Motorcycle Club attorney Stephen Stubbs now has the high profile most lawyers can only imagine. ... Topless club beating victim Michael Grasso, meanwhile, is forced by a court gag order to maintain a low profile - at least for now. ... Fireworks are coming ahead of July 4 in the Caesars Entertainment arena project. ... Local towing nightmare stories continue to pile up. Obviously, some companies have learned no lessons.

BOULEVARD II: UNLV basketball greats will meet and greet fans at 7 p.m. Saturday poolside at Hooters Hotel in a free event with silent-auction proceeds benefiting the Rebels Legends Foundation, which is devoted to helping former hoop stars complete their college educations.

BOULEVARD RIP: The Boulevard bids a fond farewell to hail fellow Ron Bell, whose commercial work has been part of the advertising community for decades. Remember those great Jerry's Nugget restaurant commercials? That was a slice of Ron's work. And he was so proud of his daughter, actress Jillian Bell, who has a regular gig on "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and guest-starred on "Franklin & Bash."

John L. Smith's column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.