"Prison sentences impacted by
the harm done to their victims"

Dominic Rizzolo to be sentenced Tuesday

 "Violent crimes are on the rise in most cities across the nation.  People convicted of violent crimes have their prison sentences impacted by the harm done to their victims." "Any person who uses a... deadly weapon... in the commission of a crime shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for a term equal to and in addition to the term of imprisonment prescribed by statute for the crime... You need an experienced defense attorney who is able to mitigate the circumstances surrounding the crimes charged to obtain the best possible resolution on your case." - From the website of attorney Steve Wolfson, husband of Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass

..
(L to R) Judge Jackie Glass, DA David Roger, Mayor Oscar Goodman, Councilman Steve Wolfson

INSIDE VEGAS by Steve Miller
AmericanMafia.com
January 12, 2009

LAS VEGAS - Convicted racketeer Rick Rizzolo in 1985 plea bargained with a friendly District Attorney to a gross misdemeanor after beating Rick Sandlin almost to death with a baseball bat. Sandlin died three years later of his injuries, and Rizzolo did not spend even one day in jail. Rizzolo's attorney was Oscar Goodman who today is our town's Mayor, and the friendly DA was Rex Bell.

24 years later, just before Christmas 2008, Rick Rizzolo was heard telling his friends that his son Dominic will also get off with a slap on the wrist and get one year probation for pleading guilty to Battery With Use Of A Deadly Weapon.

Dominic's prosecutor is current Clark County DA David Roger, a long time friend of Rick Rizzolo and his family attorney Tony Sgro -- "an experienced defense attorney." Sgro donated Roger's campaign headquarters in 2007 when Roger ran for reelection. Roger was also the benefactor of a 2003 political fundraiser in the Rizzolo's Canyon Gate estate, and received over $50,000 in campaign contributions based on Rick Rizzolo's efforts.
 
Dominic Rizzolo, 26, will be sentenced at 9 AM, Tuesday, January 13, in Clark County District Court, Department 5.

This is Dominic's first felony offense.
 
His judge is the honorable Jackie Glass who is best known for presiding over the 2008, O.J. Simpson robbery and kidnapping case. She's been described as a no-nonsense judge known for tough sentences. Because "violent crimes are on the rise in most cities across the nation," Glass tried to set an example by sentencing Simpson to over 9 years in state prison, and he didn't cause his victims physical harm during his crime spree at the Palace Station Hotel. His associate did threaten several men with a gun, but never pulled the trigger.

It was Simpson's first felony offense.

Judge Glass is married to prominent criminal defense attorney and Las Vegas City Councilman Steve Wolfson who serves at the side of Rick Rizzolo's former criminal defense attorney and corporate agent, Mayor Oscar Goodman. Wolfson would like to succeed Goodman as mayor, and needs Goodman's endorsement to be elected.

Associates of Rick Rizzolo (below) were responsible for launching Goodman's career as a mob lawyer:

.
.
..
Top - L to R: Oscar Goodman and Jimmy Chagra; Tony Spilotro, Goodman, Herb Blitzstein
Middle - L to R: Goodman and impeached judge Harry Claiborne; Convicted racketeer Rick Rizzolo
Bottom - L to R: Joey "the clown" Lombardo; Joey Cusumano and Goodman; Frank "lefty" Rosenthal
 
At approximately 10 PM, January 21, 2008, Dominic Rizzolo reportedly drove to William Moyer's home in a dark colored SUV with the license place covered by a T-shirt.

Moyer, 26, who was a class made of Rizzolo at Gorman High School, reported he received a phone call on the night of the incident asking if he was staying home that evening? Fifteen minutes later, Rizzolo reportedly knocked at his door.

Moyer's mother answered the door and summoned her son. The two men conversed on the front lawn for several minutes until Rizzolo reportedly asked Moyer, "Do you know who my family is?" then demanded $20,000.

Moyer said he refused the demand and ordered Rizzolo off the property which he said inspired Rizzolo to strike him in the face with his fist. A fight ensued in which Rizzolo reportedly pulled a switch blade knife and stabbed Moyer in the upper abdomen.

Moyer sustained life threatening injuries requiring emergency surgery and six days hospitalization. Moyer has not received compensation for his medical bills, pain, and suffering. He said he has hesitated suing Rizzolo in civil court to recover his expenses because Rizzolo does not work, have assets, or own property in order to satisfy a judgment.
 
NRS 200.481  Battery: Definitions; penalties. a person convicted of a battery... shall be punished: (e) If the battery is committed with the use of a deadly weapon, and: (2) Substantial bodily harm to the victim results, for a category B felony by imprisonment in the state prison for a minimum term of not less than 2 years and a maximum term of not more than 15 years, and may be further punished by a fine of not more than $10,000.
 
Judge Glass is guided by NRS 200.481 to sentence Rizzolo to the state prison for a minimum term of not less than 2 years. Or she can suspend his sentence and place him on probation.

However, suspended sentences and probation is not Judge Glass's style. While the world watched, she threw the book at Simpson, and he never shot or stabbed anyone that fateful day at the Palace Station.

By coincidence, this is the second concurrent case involving a member of the Rizzolo family that has been randomly assigned to Judge Glass. In 2003, Judge Glass was assigned to preside over Kirk Henry's Attempted Murder civil lawsuit against Rizzolo's corporation, The Power Company.

Because Dominic Rizzolo was a "person who (used) a... deadly weapon... in the commission of a crime," and William Moyer almost died of his injuries, it's expected that Judge Glass will heed the words of her husband who stated: "People convicted of violent crimes have their prison sentences impacted by the harm done to their victims," and she will impact Dominic Rizzolo's sentence, fine, and victim restitution by the harm he did to Mr. Moyer.

Hopefully, her sentencing will not be impacted by Dominic's father's close connections to the DA and Mayor.
 

Jan. 06, 2009  Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal  JOHN L. SMITH: Until he pays his debt, Rick Rizzolo hangs like a monkey on your back It's little secret that at least one intrepid IRS agent is asking about Rizzolo's connection to suspicious payments made through a local law firm to a former local politician for supposed investigative and security consultation. The arrangement smacks of an under-the-radar financial relationship. That could mean big headaches for a lawyer and a former politician, and yet more trouble for Rizzolo. FULL COLUMN: http://www.lvrj.com/news/37134309.html The local law firm mentioned in this column is Patti & Sgro, and the former local politician is Michael McDonald - SM