Lawyer Sanctioned For Bambicide-Related Misconduct

An Illinois hearing board has ordered a reprimand of an attorney for misconduct predicated on the following facts:

On December 2, 2006, in Stephenson County, Illinois, Respondent and his long time friend, Tom Galusha (“Galusha”), were hunting and Galusha killed a deer. Galusha asked Respondent for Kyle Hart’s, Respondent’s son’s, deer permit. So that Galusha could continue to hunt, Respondent gave Galusha Kyle Hart’s permit for the deer. Kyle Hart was not on the hunting trip with Respondent and Galusha. At all relevant times, according to 520 ILCS, 5/2.38, it was unlawful for any person to “loan or transfer to another person any license, permit, or tag issued to another person.”

Respondent and Galusha took the deer, tagged with Kyle’s permit, to the deer check station located at the Stephenson County fairgrounds maintained by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Respondent informed Investigator Mike Lyne that his son, Kyle Hart had shot and killed the deer.

At all relevant times, 550 ILCS 5/1.22 states that “it shall be unlawful for any person to resist or obstruct any authorized employee of the Department or other peace officer in the discharge of his duties under the provision hereof.” From December 2, 2006 through at least January 11, 2007, Respondent stated to Officer Lyne on three separate interviews as to who had shot the deer on December 2, 2006. Respondent asserted on all three occasions that it was his son, Kyle, who shot the deer.