High Noon

An attorney admitted in December 2014 faces interim suspension based on these allegations by the Lorain County Bar Association

As will be more fully explored below, on June 20, 2016 Relator opened an investigation into the facts and circumstances underlying an alcohol—related traffic accident in which Respondent was involved with a. fellow attorney wherein the parties provided false statements to law enforcement officers in an attempt to impair and impede an official investigation.

In addition, Relator initiated a corollary investigation into Respondent’s criminal background which revealed that Respondent has a history of several other alcohol-related convictions which preceded her admission to the Bar and indicate a pattern of substance abuse issues.

On August 3, 2016 Relator filed a formal complaint against Respondent with the Board of Professional Conduct of the Supreme Court of Ohio alleging that Respondent engaged in professional misconduct as a result of her involvement in an alcohol—related traffic accident on June 9, 2016 in Elyria, Ohio wherein she gave a false police report to law enforcement officers in an effort to avoid an OVI arrest.

…it is Respondent’s history of alcohol-related offenses and dishonesty; her recent encounter with law enforcement, and her escalation into the abuse of heroin that is most prejudicial to the administration of justice and reflects adversely on her continued ability and fitness to practice law in the State of Ohio.

Accordingly, due to Respondent’s continued misconduct while disciplinary proceedings are pending against her and Relator’s serious concerns regarding Respondent’s abuse of alcohol and drugs, Relator respectfully submits that Respondent poses the potential for a substantial threat of serious harm to herself, her clients and the public and currently is or may be unfit to practice law.

Details

The gravamen of Relator’s Complaint is that on June 9, 2016 Respondent was involved in an alcohol—related traffic accident in Elyria, Ohio with a fellow attorney, Kenneth Lewis, wherein the parties gave false statements to law enforcement officers in an attempt to avoid a potential accident. Respondent and Lewis advised officers that neither attorney had driven the vehicle at issue, when, in fact, Respondent herself had driven the vehicle and caused the accident while she was intoxicated.

Specifically, Respondent affirmatively represented to an Elyria, Ohio police officer that she never drove the vehicle involved in the accident at issue after it was parked at a local bar. Respondent’s representations proved to be dishonest and deceitful, however, after officers viewed a video-recording from the bar that revealed that Respondent had indeed driven the vehicle away from the establishment while significantly impaired.

As a result of the incident, on November 10, 2016 Respondent was convicted of Obstruction of Official Business and an amended charge of Physical Control in the Elyria Municipal Court.

The attorney is ordered to respond by noon tomorrow. (Mike Frisch)