DISPATCHES FROM THE FRONT: NEVADA LAWYER DEFRAUDS HOA OUT OF MORE THAN $1M IN “DESPICABLE” SCHEME

Suspended attorney Barry Levinson, a convicted player in the scheme to take over and defraud homeowners associations, was handed a second stiff prison sentence Thursday, this time for stealing more than $1.1 million from his clients.

Clark County District Judge Michael Villani called Levinson’s actions “despicable” and sentenced him to at least eight years in prison to run consecutively to a 7½-year federal sentence Levinson received for his role in the massive HOA scheme.

Villani ignored a plea agreement, worked out by defense lawyer Brent Bryson and Chief Deputy District Attorney J. P. Raman, that called for a minimum of two years in prison to run concurrently to the federal sentence.

The judge also ordered Levinson, who pleaded guilty to four felony theft charges, to pay $1.1 million in restitution to his clients.

Then Villani ordered Levinson — who was free until Thursday — handcuffed and immediately taken into state custody.

Afterward, Bryson said he was “shocked” by the sentence and was considering options to get it reduced.

Levinson, 48, who has more Nevada bar complaints against him than any other lawyer, was supposed to surrender to federal prison authorities on Aug. 21. Federal authorities now may have to ask a judge to transfer Levinson into their custody next week. Read more: 

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