Trial in teen drinking allegations delayed
A prominent Las Vegas doctor charged with hosting an underage drinking party for his teenage son and friends had his trial postponed until November.
Dr. Rudy Manthei had been scheduled to face trial Monday on two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. His new trial date is Nov. 9.
Manthei, an ophthalmologist who was chairman of Gov. Jim Gibbons' health care transition team, was cited May 24 after Henderson police were called to a loud party at his home, according to a police report.
Officer C. Collier arrived and found about 20 teens, some who seemed close to a fight, in the driveway. Some ran into the house, but a few stayed back and told police they were drinking under adult supervision, the report said.
Manthei, who appeared intoxicated, told Collier he was hosting the party and underage drinking was taking place. He also said he had hired two security guards to supervise the teens, the report said.
He told the officer that the 10 teens inside were spending the night and not allowed to drive home, the report said.
Collier gave Manthei a warning and left. Later, the officer stopped a car in the area with two 18-year-olds who said they were trying to get home after drinking at Manthei's house, the report said.
Both took alcohol breath tests that showed the driver had a 0.022 percent blood-alcohol level and the passenger had a 0.121 percent blood-alcohol level, according to the report. They were cited as minors consuming alcohol.
Collier then cited Manthei because he allowed the teens to leave after drinking alcohol, the report said
Manthei could not be reached for comment Monday.
He is the founder of Nevada Eye & Ear and principal owner of Seven Hills Surgery Center. Manthei considered buying two of three clinics owned by Dr. Dipak Desai, whose gastroenterology practice is at the center of last year's hepatitis outbreak. Manthei is no longer interested in buying the clinics.
Contact reporter Antonio Planas at aplanas@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638.
