Las Vegas NowI-Team: Halverson's Judicial Assistant Files Defamation Lawsuit

I-Team: Halverson's Judicial Assistant Files Defamation Lawsuit

There's another surprising development in the ongoing saga of District Court Judge Elizabeth Halverson. Late Thursday afternoon, Halverson's former judicial assistant filed a defamation lawsuit against the judge over allegations of ticket fixing.

It was during an interview with the I-Team that Judge Halverson first revealed she believed her former assistant was fixing tickets. Now that assistant, Ileen Spoor, is firing back with a lawsuit.

In a video provided by the court, Spoor was seen trying to collect her personal belongings. Judge Halverson accused her of trying to take evidence of a ticket-fixing operation.

In the lawsuit, Spoor says she did refer citations to attorneys looking for experience, but did not in any way "fix" them, take any money or break the law in the process. Spoor is claiming Halverson defamed her, cast her in false light and also invaded her privacy.

The I-Team caught up with Judge Halverson Thursday, as she was leaving a Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Caesars Palace. That was before this newest lawsuit was filed.

Judge Halverson declined to speak with the I-Team about any aspect of her situation, including the documents filed Wednesday with the Nevada Supreme Court.

In those documents, former staff members claim Halverson had them stand at attention and even had a bailiff give her a foot rub.

Thursday in Carson City, Chief Judge Kathy Hardcastle told the I-Team this is a tough chapter for the court system.

She stated, "Having to deal with these types of situation is unprecedented for the court. But we have a very capable, very experienced judges who are looking at the issues who are giving it their consideration and then are making the recommendations to me as to what action should be taken to minimize the disruption in the court."

Judge Halverson's attorney gave the I-Team a statement Thursday on court administration's response Wednesday to the Nevada Supreme Court.

"We predicted this would be their response. Most of the issues raised are irrelevant to the core legal issues involved in this case. It is also inappropriate to air employee grievances at this point," said Halverson's attorney, William Gamage.

From this point, Judge Halverson will remain on the bench at least until some kind of ruling from the Nevada Supreme Court. The high court could schedule oral arguments, order a full hearing, or simply make a decision based all the documents filed in this case.

Email your comments to Investigative Reporter Mark Sayre.