DAVIDOVICI GETS THREE YEARS PROBATION, EIGHT MONTHS HOME CONFINEMENT

Former nightclub king Steve Davidovici dodged prison for tax evasion today when a federal judge sentenced him to three years probation, eight months of home confinement and a $5,000 fine.

U.S. District judge Kent Dawson also ordered Davidovici to pay more than $140,000 in restitution.

Davidovici, 48, was the co-owner of Pure nightclub at Caesars Palace when the 2,400-capacity club reigned as one of the biggest and most profitable in the U.S.

Davidovici and other employees at Pure came under IRS scrutiny after a raid, three years after its 2004 New Year’s Eve opening.

Pure’s main doorman, Mikel “Mikey Goldchains” Hasen, was sentenced to a 12 months and one day in prison earlier today before Davidovici’s cause was argued by his attorney, David Chesnoff.

Davidovici’s attorneys wanted Davidovici to avoid prison because he’s lost the vision in one eye and would require close supervision. The prosecution was seeking an 18-month prison term.

Chesnoff said in a post-sentencing statement that Judge Dawson "made the right decision today by taking into consideration all of the factors in this case, including Steve's health. He recognized Steve for who he is: A hard-working man whose good deeds far outweigh his mistakes. Steve will make the most of this opportunity to continue to be a productive citizen, to employ hundreds of Las Vegas residents and to give back to our community.”

Davidovici pleaded guilty in March to filing a false 2006 tax return. He had admitted to failing to report $403,732 in income in 2005 and 2006 and owed the Internal Revenue Service $141,306 in taxes.

--NORM CLARKE, Vegas Confidential