Pawn Star

An attorney who burglarized the home of her ex-husband should be suspended for 18 months, according to a recent recommendation of the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board.

Here, Respondent knowingly violated duties owed to the public and the profession when she burglarized her former husband’s home. She caused actual harm when she stole jewelry from that residence, later selling it to a pawn shop. Additional harm occurred to the legal profession by Respondent’s commission of a serious crime that reflects poorly on the profession as a whole.

Details from the hearing committee report

On June 22, 2014, Respondent self-reported her arrest for felony theft and burglary of an inhabited dwelling to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel. On or about April 20, 2014 Respondent broke into the home of her former husband Robert Wooley and stole a man’s diamond ring (valued at approximately $13,000) and Mr. Wooley’s wife’s Rolex watch (valued at approximately $6,000). Thereafter, Respondent took the items to Diamond Distributors Inc. where she sold the items for approximately $2,700. The proceeds of the sale were used by Respondent to gamble.

The attorney had self-reported the arrest and asserted that she has a gambling addiction

However, while the Committee recommended a one year and one day suspension, the Board recommends an eighteen month suspension from the practice of law. Respondent self reported her arrest for burglary and attributed her conduct to her gambling addiction. Although Respondent thereafter made contact with the Lawyers Assistance Program (“LAP”) and entered into a Recovery Agreement, she is no longer compliant with the LAP Agreement. Due to her record of significant non-compliance, including her failure to continue drug screening, failure to attend counseling meetings regarding her gambling addiction, and failure to maintain contact with LAP, she is no longer being monitored by LAP. Due to Respondent’s failure to adhere to the counseling and assistance offered through LAP, the Board agrees with ODC that an eighteen month suspension from the practice of law is the appropriate sanction.

. (Mike Frisch)