No Contest Plea Draws Proposed Permanent Disbarment
A Louisiana Hearing Committee has recommended permanent disbarment for an attorney’s no contest plea to criminal charges
On or about October 22, 2020 Respondent was indicted in the 20th Judicial District Court for the Parish of West Feliciana by the Attorney General’s Criminal Division on multiple counts of felony Aggravated Rape of E.B. occurring between October 24, 2003 and October 31, 2003 and when the victim was thirteen (13) years old.
On or about December 28, 2020 Respondent was charged in a separate Bill of Information filed in the 20th Judicial District Court for the Parish of West Feliciana by the Attorney General’s Criminal Division with one count of felony carnal knowledge of juvenile K.R., a victim over the age of 12 but under the age of 17 and where there was an age difference of greater than 2 years, the criminal acts occurring between August 1, 2000 and July 13, 2001.
Following discussions with the Assistant Attorney General prosecuting the matters, Respondent reached a plea agreement where he entered a “no contest” plea to an amended count of the indictment charging him with indecent behavior involving the juvenile E.B. by committing a lewd or lascivious act with the intent of arousing the sexual desires of the defendant. Counts 2 and 3 of the indictment were dismissed.
Following discussions with the Assistant Attorney General prosecuting the matters, Respondent reached a plea agreement where he also entered a guilty plea to an amended bill of information in the matter involving K.R. and charging him with indecency involving a juvenile by committing a lewd and lascivious act with another under the age of seventeen years and where there was an age difference greater than two years between the two persons, with the intent to gratify the sexual desires of either person.
On or about June 10, 2022 Respondent entered the pleas described above on both the amended charge involving his criminal conduct with E.B. and the amended charge involving his criminal conduct with K.R. Accompanying his pleas,
Respondent stated, “As to Count 1, I am pleading nolo contendre but I agree the State has evidence to support the charge, but it is in my best interest to accept this punishment through the nolo plea. I agree to facts in Count 2.”
Sanction
Respondent violated duties owed to the public and the profession. The very nature of his crimes demonstrate that he acted intentionally. Respondent’s misconduct caused serious actual harm to the victims of his crimes, harm that has likely caused life-long damage to these individuals. See ODC Exhibit 13, Bates 051-054 (victim impact statement at sentencing). Respondent’s misconduct, which was publicized in the media, also brought disrepute on the profession.
The Louisiana Voice had coverage of the charges and the suggestion that the matter involved a political vendetta against Respondent. (Mike Frisch)