Reinstated After Resignation

The Oklahoma Supreme Court has reinstated an attorney who had resigned in 2012 during a bar discipline investigation as recounted in the order accepting the resignation

Welch states he is aware of the disciplinary complaint pending against him in the case State of Oklahoma ex rel. OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION v. Josh T. Welch, SCBD #5868, related to his actions in State of Oklahoma v. David Ogle, Oklahoma County District Court Case CF-2010-5113. He entered an Alford plea [An Alford plea admits that the prosecution’s evidence, if believed by the trier of fact, is sufficient to support a conviction. State ex rel. Oklahoma Bar Ass’n v. Corrales, 2012 OK 64, fn. 2, 280 P.3d 968.] to one count of Obstructing an Officer in the Performance of His Official Duties in violation of 21 O.S. 2011, §540 in State of Oklahoma v. Josh T. Welch. He admitted to making arrangements to discourage an officer from appearing to testify at a Department of Public Safety Hearing concerning the revocation of driving privileges. The plea was also entered based upon the attorney’s having created false and fraudulent billings to a client’s account to hide unethical and illegal payments to the police officer. Welch stated he was also aware of a grievance filed against him by Michael Leatherwood, alleging his representation of Leatherwood in a criminal case was adversely affected by Welch being investigated by the same District Attorney’s Office that was prosecuting Leatherwood.

(Mike Frisch)