Lies My Lawyer Told Me To Tell

The Michigan Attorney Disciplinary Board has suspended a convicted attorney.

The Macomb Daily had this report

A Grosse Pointe Park-based attorney admitted he obstructed justice by telling a client to lie about a prior criminal conviction in U.S. Immigration Court.

 David K. Wegner, 70, pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice, punishable by up to five years in prison, on Thursday in front of U.S. District Judge Robert Cleland in Detroit. He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 7.

 U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade says in a press release that Wenger instructed a client to not disclose he was convicted of third-degree criminal sexual conduct in 1990 shortly before he was to testify in May, 28, 2013. Wenger also repeatedly told his client and his client’s family to not reveal the conviction, and failed to disclose all of his client’s convictions in a legal document filed May 9, 2013, the feds say.

Wenger, who faces potential ramifications from the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board, had his law license suspected for 90 days in May 2012 for actions in connection with four other immigration matters, according to board records. He also failed to respond to a formal complaint. Wenger also was ordered by the board to pay restitution of $2,000 and costs of $1,914.16.

Wenger, admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 1973, also was reprimanded by the board in 1992 and 2010, records say.

The suspension will remain in effect until final discipline is imposed. (Mike Frisch)