Head of D.A.’s Charity Losing Weapon Permit

Sheriff’s officials are revoking a concealed weapons permit they issued to an Irvine businessman listed in state records as the head of Dist. Atty. Tony Rackauckas’ charity, a sheriff’s spokesman said Monday.

Ghaby Nassar came under scrutiny two weeks ago after sheriff’s officials learned he was once the subject of a domestic violence restraining order. Nassar had contended in his gun permit application earlier this year that he had never been the subject of a restraining order, records show.

Neither Nassar nor his attorney, Paul Konapelsky, could be reached for comment Monday. In an earlier interview, Konapelsky said Nassar was never served with a copy of the restraining order.

In addition to his role with the Tony Rackauckas Foundation, Nassar had been issued a sheriff’s badge as part of Sheriff Mike Carona’s “professional services” reserve program. Nassar resigned from the reserve program two weeks ago and agreed to relinquish his badge.

Sheriff’s officials decided to revoke his concealed weapons permit Monday, spokesman Steve Doan said, adding that such a step is extremely rare.

According to court records, Nassar was prosecuted for assault in 1982 and making threatening telephone calls in 1991. Both charges were dismissed.

Rackauckas, through a spokeswoman, has said the foundation will sponsor programs for Orange County youth. Volunteers listed Nassar as chief executive of the charity without Rackauckas’ knowledge, his spokeswoman said.