Ex-Priest May Sit For Bar Exam

The Iowa Supreme Court rejected the recommendation of its Board of Law Examiners to deny an applicant permission to sit for the Iowa bar exam. The applicant had been an ordained priest who had “used spankings, tickling, push-ups and sit-ups as disciplinary techniques” on young people under his supervision. The incidents took place on trips taken with teenagers. He also received foot and neck massages. The information was disclosed to the bar examiners.The court concluded that the incidents, which had occurred over 17 years ago, did not establish lack of moral fitness when viewed in historical context. There was a dissent of a single justice.

In an unrelated matter, the court revoked  the license of an attorney convicted of predatory sex crimes against minors. (Mike Frisch)