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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.6

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered effective as of September 1, 2000 by
and between VESTIN GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"), and
Ira S. Levine (the "Executive") with reference to the following facts:

                                  WITNESSETH:

     WHEREAS, the Corporation desires to retain Executive in the position of
Executive Vice President of Legal and Corporate Affairs and Executive desires
to accept such position; and

     WHEREAS, in order to retain the services of the Executive and to maximize
the period of his continued availability, the Corporation desires to enter into
this Agreement with Executive as is more fully set forth herein.

     NOW, THEREFORE, on the basis of the foregoing facts and in consideration
of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto
agree as follows:

     1.   Employment. The Corporation hereby agrees to, and does hereby, employ
the Executive and Executive hereby accepts employment with the Corporation on
the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement (the "Agreement").

     2.   Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence on September 1, 2000,
and shall continue until December 31, 2003 (the "Term"). After the original
Term, this Agreement shall continue for successive three (3) year periods
unless either party hereto shall notify the other in writing at least one
hundred eighty (180) days prior to the end of the Term of their intention of
not renewing the same. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
the Corporation agrees not to terminate the Executive during the Term except
for Cause. Executive shall be considered terminated, at the Executive's
election, if (i) there is a Change of Control, as defined herein, of the
Corporation, or (ii) a resignation by Executive for Good Reason, as defined
herein.

     3.   Duties and Services.

          a.   The Corporation and the Executive hereby agree that, subject to
               the provisions of this Agreement, the Corporation will employ the
               Executive and the Executive will serve the Corporation as
               Executive Vice President of Legal and Corporate Affairs. The
               Corporation understands, acknowledges and agrees that during the
               first four months of this Agreement the Executive may not be
               available full time to the Corporation as he transitions his
               private law practice.

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          b.    Executive agrees during the term of this Agreement not to usurp
                a corporate opportunity for his own financial gain. A corporate
                opportunity shall be defined as a business opportunity which the
                Corporation is financially able to undertake, is, from its
                nature, in the line of the Corporation's business and is one in
                which the Corporation has an interest or a reasonable
                expectancy. Executive agrees that he shall offer a corporate
                opportunity to the Corporation. The Corporation shall have ten
                (10) days to either take the opportunity for itself or to reject
                the opportunity in which case Executive shall have the right to
                pursue such opportunity for himself. Failure to notify Executive
                within such ten (10) day period shall be deemed a rejection of
                the opportunity by the Corporation.

     4.   Definitions. The following terms shall have the following meanings
when used herein:

          a.    Change of Control. For the purpose of this Agreement, a "Change
                of Control" of the Corporation shall be deemed to occur if any
                person or entity directly or indirectly acquires ownership,
                control, power to vote, or proxies representing more than
                twenty-five percent (25%) of the Voting Stock of Vestin, or of
                any entity controlling Vestin, or any successor thereto, or
                obtains control of the election of a majority of the members of
                the Board of Directors of Vestin, or any successor thereto (the
                "Board") or of any entity controlling Vestin.

          b.    Cause. Cause shall exist when and only when Executive (i) after
                receipt of written notification by the Board of Directors or the
                CEO has wilfully failed and continues to fall after such written
                notice for a period of thirty (30) days to substantially perform
                his duties (other than failure resulting from incapacity due to
                physical or mental illness), (ii) is convicted of a crime
                constituting a felony, or (iii) has been proven by a court of
                law to be dishonest, has embezzled or has committed common law
                fraud ("for Cause").

          c.    Good Reason. Executive may terminate Executive's employment Term
                under this Agreement for "Good Reason." Good Reason shall mean
                the occurrence without the consent of Executive of any of the
                circumstances set forth below, unless such circumstances are
                fully corrected within ten (10) days after delivery of written
                notice of termination based on such occurrence to the
                Corporation:

                (1)  a reduction by the Corporation of the Base Salary as then
                     in effect or the duties of the Executive as then in effect;


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          (2)  the failure by the Corporation to provide, when required, any
               compensation or benefits;

          (3)  a breach of this Agreement by the Corporation which is not cured
               within ten (10) days following notice of such breach by
               Executive to the Corporation;

5.   Compensation.

     a.   As salary during the Term, the Corporation shall pay the Executive,
          in accordance with its normal payroll, a minimum annual salary which
          shall initially be $262,500 (the "Base Salary"), such salary to be
          paid no less than semi-monthly during the Term. The Executive shall
          receive such additional salary as the Board of Directors of the
          Corporation may from time to time determine during the Term but at
          no time shall the Base Salary be less than the initial Base Salary
          identified in the immediately preceding sentence increased by the
          increase in the relevant CPI increase for the immediately preceding
          12-month period. This CPI adjustment shall be made effective
          September 1 of each year commencing September 1, 2001. Unless
          expressly agreed in writing by the parties hereto, no such additional
          compensation or benefits shall be deemed to modify or otherwise
          effect the terms or conditions of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the
          foregoing if Executive resigns for Good Reason or Executive is
          terminated other than (i) for Cause, as defined herein, or (ii) as a
          result of a Change of Control, as defined herein, Executive shall be
          entitled to the greater of twelve (12) months Base Salary of the Base
          Salary due to Executive for the remaining term of this Agreement as
          severance, plus the continuation of all of Executive's benefits for
          the greater of twelve (12) months and the remaining term of this
          Agreement, and all options shall immediately vest. In the event of a
          Change of Control, Executive shall be entitled to the greater of two
          (2) years Base Salary or the Base Salary due for the remaining term
          of this Agreement, as severance, plus the continuation of all of
          Executive's benefits for the greater of two (2) years and the
          remaining term of this Agreement, and all options shall immediately
          vest provided Executive exercises his right pursuant to this
          Agreement to treat such change of control as a termination of this
          Agreement. In the event Executive does not exercise his right to be
          terminated upon a Change of Control this Agreement shall renew for a
          period of three (3) years commencing on the day preceding the Change
          of Control. In the event Executive resigns for Good Reason, is
          terminated other than for cause or there is a Change in Control, all
          obligations to pay Executive shall be due and owed in cash in a lump
          sum payment without discount or offset on the earlier of the date of
          termination, the date of the Change of Control and/or the date
          Executive elects termination pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph
          2 hereof.


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            b.    Expense Reimbursement. Upon presentation by Executive to the
                  Corporation of adequate supporting documentation, the
                  Corporation shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable and
                  necessary business, travel and entertainment expenses,
                  disbursements, and other reasonable and necessary incidental
                  expenses incurred for or on behalf of the Corporation.

      6.    Other Benefits. During the Term the Executive shall receive all
rights and benefits for which he is then eligible under any employee benefit
plan or bonus plan which the Corporation generally provides for its senior
executives. Such benefits in any event include, but shall not be limited to, a
bonus plan, which shall be explicitly set forth by the Corporation's Board of
Directors within one hundred eighty (180) days of the execution of this
Agreement, but Executive's bonus shall be no less than the highest bonus paid to
other similarly situated Executives based upon a percentage of salary, and full
medical, dental, disability, life and health insurance for Executive and his
dependents. Further, Executive shall receive disability insurance guarantying
payments equal to a minimum of sixty percent (60%) of his salary or at
Executive's option Executive may purchase disability insurance and be
reimbursed for such disability insurance by the Corporation. In addition, the
Corporation shall pay for Executive's bar association dues with the State Bar
of Nevada and California, the Clark County Bar Association, the American Bar
Association and all other related associations and for all continuing legal
education costs and fees including seminar fees and travel and lodging fees,
which travel and lodging shall be approved in advance by the Corporation.

      7.    Options.    Executive shall receive options to purchase 150,000
shares of the Corporation's common stock to purchase 75,000 shares vesting
immediately and the remaining options to purchase 75,000 shares vesting on the
one (1) year anniversary of this Agreement unless Executive resigns for Good
Reason, is terminated, dies, is disabled or there is a Change in Control in
which case the options shall vest immediately.

      8.    Death or Disability. In the event of the death of the Executive or
the disability of the Executive, this Agreement shall immediately terminate and
the Corporation shall pay to the Executive or his estate one (1) year's salary
in cash in a single lump sum payment without discount or offset which payment
shall be due and payable upon the sooner of (i) thirty (30) days of Executive's
death or (ii) thirty (30) days after Executive is declared by his physician
incapable of performing his duties as specified in this Agreement. The
Corporation shall have the right to fund Executive's death and/or disability
benefit through life insurance beyond that provided for in Section 6 if it so
elects.

      9.    Place of Performance. In connection with his employment by the
Corporation during the Term, the Executive shall at all times be entitled to an
office at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, located in Las
Vegas, Nevada, or at such other office of the Corporation, in Las Vegas,
Nevada, as the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation shall, in his
reasonable discretion deem to be in the best interest of the Corporation. In
the event the Corporation moves its principal place of business outside of Las
Vegas, Nevada, Executive at his option shall have the right to terminate this
Agreement and receive the greater of such salary due him for the remaining Term
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this Agreement but in no event less than twelve (12) months' salary or to cause
the Corporation to maintain an office in Las Vegas, Nevada for the Executive
during the Term. In addition, Executive shall be entitled to appropriate legal
secretarial assistance.

      10.   Outside Activities and Non-Competition.

            a.    Covenant Not to Compete. Executive recognizes that the
                  Corporation's decision to enter into this Agreement is
                  induced primarily because of the covenants and assurances
                  made by Executive, that Executive's covenant not to compete
                  is necessary to ensure the continuation of the business of
                  the Corporation and the reputation of the Corporation, and
                  that irreparable harm and damage will be done to the
                  Corporation if Executive competes with the Corporation.
                  Therefore, Executive agrees that during the term of this
                  Agreement and for a period of one (1) year following
                  termination of this Agreement, Executive shall not, directly
                  or indirectly, as an employee, employer, contractor,
                  consultant, agent, principal, shareholder, corporate officer,
                  director, or in any other individual or representative
                  capacity, engage or participate in any business or practice
                  within the Practice Territory that is in competition in an
                  manner whatsoever with the business of the Corporation as of
                  the date this Agreement is executed without the written
                  permission of the Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
                  Executive may engage in the private practice of law during
                  (provided such practice does not affect his duties pursuant
                  to this Agreement) and after the Term of this Agreement. The
                  Corporation understands, acknowledges and agrees that
                  Executive may continue to service clients in addition to his
                  obligations hereunder. The term "in competition in any manner
                  whatsoever with the business of the Corporation" shall
                  include the practice of accounting in the Practice Territory
                  and engaging in the mortgage or accounting business in the
                  Practice Territory. Practice Territory shall be defined as
                  any area in which the Corporation has an office or conducts
                  business. Executive agrees:

                  (i)   If Executive should set up an office within the
                        Practice Territory in competition with the business of
                        the Corporation, it would cause economic harm and loss
                        of goodwill to the Corporation resulting in immediate
                        and irreparable loss, injuries, and damage to the
                        Corporation.

                  (ii)  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
                        Section 10, Executive is no prohibited from owning less
                        than five percent (5%) of the equity of any publicly
                        traded entity.

            b.    Enforcement. The Corporation and Executive further agree that
                  if any restriction in this Article is held by any court to be
                  unenforceable or



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          unreasonable, a lesser restriction will be enforced in its place and
          the remaining restrictions in this Agreement will be enforced
          independently of each other. In any action to enforce any provision
          of this Article 10, the court may award reasonable attorneys' fees,
          costs, and expenses to the prevailing party. Notwithstanding the
          prior provisions of this Article, Executive shall be immediately
          released from the restrictive covenant in this Article and may
          practice in competition with the Corporation within the Practice
          Territory after the termination of this Agreement by purchasing the
          covenants described in this Article 10.a. The parties believe that
          reasonable compensation to the Corporation for the release of
          Executive from the restrictive covenants of this Article 10 would be
          Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), which is the Corporation's
          anticipated costs of recruiting and training a replacement for
          Executive. Executive promises to pay, and the Corporation agrees to
          accept, that amount as consideration if Executive should desire to be
          released from the restrictive covenants of this Article 10.

     c.   Survival. The provisions of this Article 10 shall survive the
          termination of this Agreement for one (1) year.

11.  Confidentiality of Information.

     a.   Confidential Information. Executive agrees to keep confidential and
          not to use or to disclose to others during the term of this Agreement
          and for a period of five (5) years thereafter, except as expressly
          consented to in writing by the Corporation or required by law, any
          secrets or confidential technology, proprietary information, patient
          lists, or trade secrets of the Corporation, or any matter or thing
          ascertained by Executive through Executive's affiliation with the
          Corporation, the use or disclosure of which matter or thing might
          reasonably be construed to be contrary to the best interest of the
          Corporation, the use or disclosure of which matter or thing might
          reasonably be construed to be contrary to the best interests of the
          Corporation. This restriction shall not apply to any information that
          (i) is or becomes generally available to and known by the public
          (other than as a result of an unpermitted disclosure directly or
          indirectly by Executive or Executive's affiliates, advisors, or
          representatives); (ii) is or becomes available to Executive on a
          nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Corporation or its
          affiliates, advisors, or representatives, provided that, at the time
          of disclosure to Executive, Executive is not aware that such source
          was bound by a confidentiality agreement with or other obligation of
          secrecy to the Corporation; or (iii) has already been or is hereafter
          independently acquired or developed by the Corporation; without
          violating any confidentiality agreement with or other obligation of
          secrecy to the Corporation.

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          b.   Departure.  Except as provided herein, should Executive leave
               the employment of the Corporation, Executive will neither take
               no retain, without prior written authorization from the
               Corporation, any papers, client lists, fee books, client
               records, files, or other documents or copies thereof or other
               confidential information or any kind belonging to the
               Corporation pertaining to the Corporation's clients, business,
               sales, financial condition, or products. Without limiting other
               possible remedies to the Corporation for the breach of this
               covenant, Executive agrees that injunctive or other equitable
               relief shall be available to enforce this covenant, such relief
               to be without the necessity of posting a bond, cash or
               otherwise. Executive further agrees that if any restriction
               contained in this paragraph is held by any court to be
               unenforceable or unreasonable, a lesser restriction shall be
               enforced in its place and remaining restrictions contained
               herein shall be enforced independently of each other.

          c.   Exceptions.

               (i)  Executive shall not be prohibited from releasing any
                    confidential or proprietary information to Executive's
                    legal counsel or financial advisors, provided that
                    Executive places such advisors under legal obligation not
                    to disclose the confidential information.

               (ii) It shall not be a breach of Executive's covenants under
                    this Article 11 if a disclosure is made pursuant to a court
                    order, a valid administrative agency subpoena, or a lawful
                    request for information by an administrative agency.
                    Executive shall give Corporation prompt notice of any such
                    court order, subpoena, or request for information.

     12   Notice. All Notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been validly served, given or delivered
five (5) days after deposit in the United States mail, by certified mail with
return receipt requested and postage prepaid, when delivered personally, one
(1) day after delivery to any overnight courier, or when transmitted by
facsimile transmission facilities, and addressed to the party to be notified as
follows:

          If to Corporation at:         2901 El Camino, Suite 206
                                        Las Vegas, Nevada 89102

          If to Executive at:           2344 Dolphin Ct.
                                        Henderson, Nevada 89014


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     13.  Miscellaneous.

          a.    This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
                the Corporation, its successors and assigns. This Agreement may
                not be assigned by the Corporation without the prior written
                consent of the Executive. The obligations and duties of the
                Executive hereunder shall be personal and not assignable.

          b.    Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be
                interpreted in such a manner as to be valid and effective under
                applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is found
                to be prohibited or invalid under applicable law, such provision
                will be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or
                invalidity without invalidating the remainder of such provision
                of the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

          c.    For purposes of this Agreement an "affiliate" of a person shall
                include any person, firm, corporation, association,
                organization, or unincorporated trade or business that, now or
                hereinafter directly or indirectly, controls, or is controlled
                by, or practices is under common control with such person.

          d.    Any waiver, alteration or modification of any term of this
                Agreement will be valid only if made in writing and signed by
                the parties hereto. Each party hereto from time to time may
                waive any of his or its rights hereunder without effecting a
                waiver with respect to any subsequent occurrences or
                transactions hereunder.

          e.    Captions and paragraph heading used herein are for convenience
                only are not a part and shall not be used in construing this
                Agreement.

          f.    This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and
                agreement of the parties and, except as otherwise provided
                hereunder, there are no other agreements or understandings,
                written or oral, in effect between the parties relating to the
                employment of the Executive by the Corporation during the Term.
                All prior negotiations or agreements, if any, between the
                parties relating solely to the employment of the Executive by
                the Corporation during the Term are hereby superseded.

          g.    This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in
                accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada.

          h.    This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which
                shall be deemed an original, but both of which taken together
                shall constitute one and the same instrument.


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     i    THE CORPORATION UNDERSTANDS, ACKNOWLEDGES, AND AGREES THAT THE
          EXECUTIVE IS AN ATTORNEY WHO HAS PERFORMED LEGAL SERVICES FOR THE
          CORPORATION. THE CORPORATION AGREES THAT EXECUTIVE IS REPRESENTING
          HIMSELF IN THIS AGREEMENT AND NOT THE CORPORATION AND THE CORPORATION
          IS URGED TO SEEK LEGAL COUNSEL PRIOR TO THE EXECUTION OF THIS
          AGREEMENT.

     14.  Arbitration. Any controversy between the parties hereto, including
the construction or application of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of
this Agreement, shall on written request of one party served on the other be
settled exclusively by arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American
Arbitration Association then in effect. The arbitrator selected must be a
member of the National Academy of Arbitrators and must have significant
experience in arbitrating labor disputes. Further, the Arbitrator must be an
attorney practicing labor law in the Southern California area. The cost of such
arbitration shall be borne by the losing party or in such proportions as the
Arbitrator(s) shall decide. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator's award in
any court of competent jurisdiction.

     15.  The Executive's Employment. Nothing contained in this Agreement (i)
obligates the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation to employ the
Executive in any capacity whatsoever, or (ii) prohibits or restricts the
Corporation (or any such subsidiary) or the Executive from terminating the
employment, if any, of the Executive at any time or for any reason whatsoever,
with or without cause, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is effective as of the day and year
first above written.

                                   "EXECUTIVE"

                                   /s/ IRA S. LEVINE
                                   ---------------------------------
                                   Ira S. Levine

                                   VESTIN GROUP, INC.,
                                   A DELAWARE CORPORATION

                                   By:  /s/ MICHAEL SHUSTEK
                                      -------------------------------
                                   Name: Michael Shustek
                                   Title: Chief Executive Officer



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