Govt.'s Closing Argument in Gage Trial: new Plaintiff's attorneys to be indicted?

The Review-Journal has an interesting editorial today discussing the government's summation in the criminal trial of Noel Gage:

Mine was the best seat in the courtroom during closing arguments in Noel Gage's conspiracy and fraud trial Tuesday. Perched next to attorneys Robert Eglet (pictured left) and Robert Vannah (two targets in the investigation), I observed their reactions to having their names bandied about by a federal prosecutor who was quite aware of their presence.
. . .

It's no secret Vannah (pictured left)and Eglet are near the top of the government's list of potential grand jury targets, although the first to be indicted was Awand. He's scheduled for trial in the fall, but even defense attorneys were speculating he'll try to plea bargain if Gage is convicted on charges of conspiracy, mail fraud and wire fraud. (I think the best Gage can hope for is a hung jury.)
. . .

The conspiracy, as outlined by prosecutors Steve Myhre and Schiess, was that Awand, a medical consultant, referred personal injury cases to certain agreeable attorneys, and in exchange, he received kickbacks out of the settlements, although the clients didn't know that. Awand's boys also included a crew of doctors, who would work cases in the courtroom, providing false testimony to help drive up the costs to the insurance companies, the prosecutors said.

"The lifeblood of this network is referrals," Myhre argued. "If doctors
are sending you patients, you are not going to sue them."

More Plaintiff's attorneys going down for corrupt practices? Say it ain't so, Mr. Vannah; Mr. Eglet! I guess we'll have to see what happens to Gage to find out whether Vegas attorneys are untouchable.


It's sad, isn't it that no one in state government was willing to take on these practices? One need not look further than the general inaction of our state government to show the necessity of federal intervention.