Reciprocal Immediate Suspension For Threatening Facebook Videos

The Ohio Supreme Court has granted a motion for an immediate remedial interim suspension of an attorney based on a motion filed by Disciplinary Counsel.

The attorney had recently been suspended in Kentucky and ordered to submit to a full psychological examination within 90 days.

Respondent has a history of domestic violence and has made multiple statements toward women and one of his children in the past, including direct statements or insinuations that he was going to kill them. During respondent’s pending custody case relating to one of his children, respondent posted a profanity-laced video on Facebook directed to opposing counsel…and the judge’s staff attorney… During the video, he threatened, “[g]ive me a fucking reason to blow your asses up. It’d be the best Christmas present I’ve ever gotten.”

The threats led to the judge’s recusal.

Respondent posted additional videos… including a video in which he stated, “And just wait [] for a knock on the door. Spend as much time with your kids as you can between now and then and pray to the God of your understanding for mercy *** Make no mistake. It’s coming. I’m just gonna be watching.” 

Opposing counsel felt threatened

Respondent has posted multiple videos alleging that opposing counsel and the judge’s staff attorney are “corrupt” and another video indicating that he wanted to “extinguish the cockroaches.” 

Other allegations with respect to a former client who felt threatened

because respondent told him that he had three options relating to pending federal criminal charges: 1) “put a bullet in [his] head;” 2) “flee the country” to avoid prosecution; or 3) hire respondent and “fight like hell.”

Fox 19 Now  reported on the Kentucky suspension (Mike Frisch)