Tased And Disbarred

A disbarment was imposed by the Louisiana Supreme Court for client-related and other misconduct.

One allegation

In March 2022, the ODC received a complaint against respondent from Judges Jeffrey S. Johnson and Brian K. Abels of the 21st Judicial District Court for the Parishes of Livingston, Tangipahoa, and St. Helena. The ODC opened an investigation which revealed that in an effort to cure title to property, respondent had generated two bogus court orders, using manufactured docket numbers, and forged the signatures of the judges on the bogus orders. After verifying that the signatures were forgeries and that there was no such docket number as reflected on the “orders,” the judges alerted law enforcement. On February 21, 2022, respondent was arrested on two counts of forgery and two counts of presenting forged court orders, in violation of La. R.S. 14:72. Respondent self-reported his arrest to the ODC, but provided no details or acknowledgement of his conduct, nor did he assert a Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination.

Another

On May 14, 2021, respondent was arrested in St. Landry Parish on charges of resisting an officer by force of violence, driving on a roadway laned for traffic, careless operation of a motor vehicle, and signal lamps required. The  events started when a Deputy Sheriff was stopped in traffic for a red light. Respondent drove his vehicle into the lane designated for a left-turn only and then executed a right-turn through the red light. When the deputy pulled him over, respondent reportedly made racist comments towards the deputy and refused to follow instructions to keep his hands out of his vehicle. When respondent next inserted his hands into the pockets of his pants, the deputy tried to restrain him (for safety). Respondent resisted while shouting at the deputy, who then had to deploy a Taser, which was ineffective. The deputy was ultimately able to restrain respondent’s hands and effect his arrest.

Findings of misconduct

The record in this deemed admitted matter supports a finding that respondent neglected a legal matter, failed to communicate with a client, failed to refund an unearned fee, committed criminal conduct, engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, engaged in dishonest and deceitful conduct, and failed to cooperate with the ODC in its investigations. This conduct violates the Rules of Professional Conduct as charged.