A minor misdemeanor battery case could have much greater implications than the $100 fine assessed on a Las Vegas Insurance Broker earlier this August in Ely.
Ely Municipal Judge Michael Kalleras found Cynthia Throm guilty in the misdemeanor assault on Betsy Lopez of Ely. According to the trial transcripts the incident took place in early June during an insurance information meeting of White Pine county employees at the local library.
Kalleras fined Throm $100 for the battery and also charged her for court fees.
But while the fine is little more than a judicial slap on the wrist it may just be a first finding in what could be a very expensive legal fight for Throm.
According to testimony and evidence Throm grabbed Lopez and shook her forcibly enough to leave large bruises on the diminutive Lopez’s arm pits.
While the assault was not usual for an insurance meeting the reasons behind the battery were even more disconcerting.
According to Lopez; Throm and two other woman were livid with her for what they believed was Lopez’s telling on them to authorities for various irregularities.
In an interview with the Advocate Lopez also said that she had been paying Throm a ‘kickback’ for insurance policies she wrote until she learned that the practice may have been illegal.
Lopez also said she would continue to pursue the matter civilly now that Throm was found guilty criminally and that she also make a formal complaint to the Nevada Ethics Commission.
Throm’s firm handles most of the insurance for White Pine County employees. Since the battery Lopez reportedly has seen a significant decline in business. That decline may end in the near future.
