Gus Flangas, former attorney for TRI Center developer and Storey County Commissioner Lance Gilman, was a no-show to a court hearing today in Storey County.
The hearing was to consider whether Flangas should be sanctioned for failing to follow court directives and court rules. Flangas was sanctioned in July and was ordered to pay opposing attorney fees.
That did not occur, his opposing attorney, Luke Busby, said.
The hearings stem from Gilman’s defamation lawsuit against independent Storey County publisher Sam Toll. Gilman lost the case on a number of grounds, and an appeal was filed in the state court of appeals. No ruling on the appeal has been issued. It is expected Gilman will ultimately have to pay more than $200,000 in attorney fees, as previously ordered by the First District Court.
The case in the First District Court of Nevada is Toll’s counter suit against Gilman for filing, and losing, the defamation case.
Sam Toll’s attorney, Luke Busby, said today he has never seen an attorney disobey court rules as he has in this case.
District Court Judge Jim Wilson asked Busby if he knew what was going on with Flangas. Busby said Flangas was recently replaced by Gilman with a Reno attorney.
“I did not receive any recent communications with Mr. Flangas’ office about what’s going on, and I’m unaware of why he continually fails to comply with [the court],” Busby testified today. “It’s gotten to a point where the situation is extreme. In my … 12 years of experience in civil litigation I’ve never encountered this before.”
Busby said Flangas should be held in contempt, fined $500 and ordered again to pay Busby’s attorney fees plus interest.
“Frankly it’s pretty tragic when a member of the bar willfully refuses to play by the rules…” Busby said. “I hope it’s not a serious personal matter.”
Judge Jim Wilson said he would consider referring Flangas to the Nevada State Bar.
“I may be ethically obligated to make a complaint to the bar. I will review the Nevada code of judicial conduct,” Wilson said.
Busby was directed by Wilson to propose an order against Flangas to impose sanctions.
Attempts to reach Flangas today by phone were unsuccessful.
Watch today’s hearing by Our Nevada Judges:
This Is Reno has reported extensively on these cases. Read past articles:
Lance Gilman’s multiyear defamation lawsuit ends with confidential settlement
Lance Gilman, brothel owner, developer and Storey County commissioner, has settled his case against the journalist he sued in 2017 for defamation.
Lance Gilman’s now former attorney a no-show in Storey County District Court
Gus Flangas, former attorney for TRI Center developer and Storey County Commissioner Lance Gilman, was a no-show to a court hearing today in Storey County.
Lance Gilman, attorney face new contempt-of-court hearing (updated)
Carson City District Court Judge James Wilson early this month issued two new orders against Gilman and his now former attorney Gus Flangas.
Lance Gilman’s attorney sanctioned, ordered to pay fees after failing to respond to lawsuit
The judge sanctioned Gus Flangas and ordered him to respond to court filings. He left open the possibility Gilman could still be cited for contempt.
Developer, Storey Commissioner Lance Gilman ordered to face judge for possible contempt of court charges
Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center developer, Storey County Commissioner and brothel owner Lance Gilman could be sanctioned and held in contempt of court in two weeks.
