Lawyer Suspended For Plot To Kill Former Business Partner’s Lawyer

A Michigan attorney has been suspended as a result of his recent guilty plea to solicitation to commit murder.

This report from Michigan Live

Authorities alleged [attorney] Gomery, a former prosecutor, tried to pay contractor Dale Fisher $20,000 to murder attorney Christopher Cooke.

Gomery allegedly sought the murder ahead of hearing in a bankruptcy case.

Cooke represented Gomery’s former business partner, Fred Topous Jr., in lawsuit. In 2013, a jury found Gomery had fabricated documents that would have given him half interest in the former Mitchell Creek Golf Course property in East Bay Township, which Gomery and Topous formed a business partnership to buy in 2009.

Gomery was ordered to pay Topous $314,000. Gomery filed for Chapter 13 and 7 bankruptcy protection in an attempt to discharge the large debt owed to Topous, who sued Gomery in 2012.

Topous, a convicted sex offender and $57 million lottery winner, was a former client of Gomery’s whom the accused lawyer represented in a 2008 car accident case.

Gomery’s trial was delayed due to health issues with his attorney Frank Stanley. He was arrested July 14. In December, 13th Circuit Court Judge Philip Rodgers denied a motion by Stanley to pursue an entrapment defense in the case.

Gomery served as Leelanau County Prosecutor from 1997 to 2000, and as Grand Traverse County assistant prosecutor from 1991 to 1993.

The interim suspension was imposed as a result of the felony plea. (Mike Frisch)