The Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board recommends disbarment for criminal conduct

Between October of 2008 and September of 2009, the Respondent submitted invoices to be paid for certain activities that were funded by a federal grant contract. The Respondent’s primary role was to disseminate and otherwise educate the public on safe driving. The information shared was regarding anything from the effects of drinking and driving to the benefits of wearing a seat belt. The Respondent’s misconduct was the result of her billing the agency for time and travel for events that did not occur. The investigator’s report found that Respondent received over $50,000.00 through fraudulent means. The matter was resolved through a pre-trial diversion program. As a stipulation, Respondent was only required to make $2,500.00 in retribution. Respondent admits that she was paid some compensation which was not earned.

There had been an effort to impose discipline by consent

On January 29, 2019, ODC informed the Board via email that the Court had rejected the proposal for consent discipline. On February 5, 2019, Respondent’s counsel was allowed to withdraw. On February 6, 2019, the matter was rescheduled for hearing on April 10, 2019.

Mitigation

The Respondent maintained that the charges were filed too late. She has been a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha for 30 years She testified that when she could not find groups to make presentations to, she would hand out flyers at funerals, basketball games and football games. She says that she did not fill out the forms herself; but, got help from the staff. She testified that she had been very ill with systemic lupus erythematosus and had various treatments and medications for this condition and that she had been bitten by a rat and suffered various problems from that bite.She
acknowledged that she was at fault and accepts blame; but, she denies that there was any criminal intent. She is 73 years old and had never had any trouble before, even a parking ticket. She has been admitted to the Louisiana Bar since 1988 and had no prior complaints (citations to record omitted) 

Sanction

Considering the ABA Standards and the jurisprudence discussed above, the Board further concludes that disbarment is the appropriate sanction based on the circumstances presented.

(Mike Frisch)