Will federal informant Barket reappear in future trials?

Call it a hunch. But I am beginning to wonder whether the U.S. Attorney’s office has future plans for its veteran informant Steve Barket.

Despite having his credibility challenged by U.S. District Judge Robert C. Jones in the recent money laundering case against former NLV Municipal Court marshal Ricardo Bonvicin – all six charges were dismissed – Barket is adamant that he only told the truth on the witness stand. Barket was pounded thoroughly by Bonvicin attorney Tom Pitaro in the April trial.

In a Monday interview in which he defended his testimony and track record, however, Barket also mentioned that he watched part of the federal “medical mafia” trial of attorney Noel Gage. Pitaro was also Gage’s attorney, so it’s possible Barket dropped by federal court to size up the competition.

But other reliable sources in recent weeks have wondered whether Barket was involved at some level in the federal investigation that has resulted in allegations that personal injury attorneys conspired with local physicians and trial consultants to corrupt the legal system and generate enormous paydays.

So far, that investigation has fallen flat. Gage escaped his trial unscathed. If Barket knows more, he's not yet saying.