Get Out Of Jail Fee: Attorney Gets Oral Sex For Posting Client’s Bond; Sex Addiction Mitigates Sanction

The Arizona Presiding Disciplinary Judge imposed a two-year suspension of an attorney by consent,

The attorney had self-reported that

While representing an indigent female criminal defendant (“T.P.”) under a contract with Gila County Superior Court, Mr. Standage and T.P. exchanged sexually explicit text messages, photographs and videos. While texting about an upcoming hearing he suggested “a nude erotic massage might help calm your nerves,” then described the way he would give the massage, and told T.P. he was sexually aroused by their texting. Similar texts followed. When T.P. requested Mr. Standage seek a continuance of her disposition hearing, she offered to “rock” his world, leading to the exchange of more explicit texts. The agreement states T.P. and Mr. Standage did not engage in any physical sexual contact. When Mr. Standage was unable to obtain the continuance T.P. reported his misconduct and delivered copies of their texts to the trial court.

While representing a female client (“A.G.”), in a dependency action, Mr. Standage conditionally admits that in 2013, at the client’s suggestion, he posted A.G.’s bond arising from a misdemeanor criminal warrant, in exchange for oral sex at a later time at a hotel.

Also in 2013, Mr. Standage conditionally admits he paid a child support contempt order for a former client’s girlfriend (K.C.) who promised to make it worth his while. After he paid off the contempt order, she performed a strip tease for him and had sex with him.

Mr. Standage further conditionally admits he has frequented massage parlors and engaged in sexual activity with the massage therapists for several years, until 2013. He also conditionally admitted he had paid prostitutes to engage in sexual activity for several years until 2013.

Mitigating evidence

To consider mitigating factor, 9.32(i) mental disability, the following four pronged criteria must also be met under that Standard: 1) medical evidence that the respondent is effected by a mental disability; 2) the mental disability caused the misconduct; 3) the respondent’s recovery from a mental disability has been demonstrated by a meaningful and sustained period of successful rehabilitation; and 4) the recovery arrested the misconduct and recurrence of that misconduct is unlikely.

The Agreement states Mr. Standage has been diagnosed with an Impulse Control Disorder NOS (Not Otherwise Specified) related to sex addiction and his addiction caused his misconduct. On March 2-7, 2014, he participated in an Intensive Outpatient Program for sex addiction at Psychological Counseling Services, LTD and has continued treatment with a psychologist since completing that program. Mr. Standage is engaged in a 12 step program with a sponsor and also sponsors others. He asserts he has been rehabilitated since January 21, 2014 without relapse. The parties agree that a two year suspension would allow Mr. Standage additional time to demonstrate a sustained period of recovery.

Among other sanctions were the loss of his indigent defense work and his excommunication from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. There was also adverse publicity and a strain on his marital and family relations.

The agreement attached  to the consent has the explicit details. (Mike Frisch)