Vegas Buzz

Fau murder case illegally sealed

Long haul trucker Scott David Fau was beaten to death in 1995 by Crazy Horse bouncers. The then-District Attorney refused to criminally prosecute, though there were several eye witnesses. His successor David Roger concurred, so in 1997, Fau's family sued Rick Rizzolo and his corporation in civil court. The case was dismissed three times by Judge Nancy M. Saitta, but was reinstated after Fau's attorney complained to the Nevada Supreme Court. In January 2003, after less than two hours deliberation, a jury ruled for Rizzolo based on Judge Saitta's instruction they not consider blunt force trauma as the cause of death because Fau lived several hours following the beating. Today, according to Judge Saitta's court record, the trial is still "in progress - Access Denied!"  In 2006, before she was elected to the Nevada Supreme Court, I called Saitta's clerk to ask why a trial was "in progress" for over three years? He told me an error had occurred and would immediately inform the Judge. She did nothing. I have also written three national articles on this subject and had them hand delivered to Saitta. Her quasi sealing of this court record has hindered new attorneys who are looking into whether to appeal this case to U.S. Federal Court.  During the "Operation G-Sting" political corruption trial, Michael Galardi, who was considered a credible witness, stated that he had heard Rizzolo say that he had "taken care of Saitta," Galardi also testified he saw Judge Saitta give Rizzolo "a big hug and kiss like they were friends."  Ironically, Saitta's illegal sealing, her friendship with Rizzolo, and Rizzolo's subsequent conviction for tax evasion and racketeering, may be grounds for the Federal Court to allow a reexamination of the Scott David Fau wrongful death case. - SM

http://courtgate.coca.co.clark.nv.us:8490/DistrictCourt/asp/SearchPartyResults.asp?SearchLevel=0001&LastName=Fau&FirstName=Camille&MidInit=&CaseSubType=**&PartyType

Mar. 27, 2007
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

EDITORIAL: 'A very clear need for it'

Bill to limit court sealings deserves quick passage

The proposed law would further require a judge to hold a separate hearing to weigh the merits of sealing any particular record. A judge would be required to notify the public of the hearing beforehand and to allow the public to present evidence at that hearing. Furthermore, the judge would be required to unseal such records at the "earliest possible time after the circumstances necessitating the sealing no longer exist."

FULL EDITORIAL: http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2007/Mar-27-Tue-2007/opinion/13411496.html

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...Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial cartoon by Jim Day
 
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