A Solid

The Dayton (Ohio) Bar Association has filed a complaint alleging misconduct by an inactive member of the Ohio Bar.

The allegations principly involve Respondent’s representation of a client who faced probation revocation on a burglary offense.

The client sought a civil protection order against Respondent for alleged disparaging and threatening remarks to her followed by a text that said she was “going to get her ass whooped.”

An ex parte temporary order was issued.

He filed a motion to withdraw without citing reasons but two weeks later filed a motion to recuse the judge in the case.

He then filed a second motion to withdraw alleging a conflict of interest but not mentioning the CPO.

Respondent allegedly contacted police while still the client’s counsel, told them she was living with a “pill and weed dealer,” engaging in prostitution and accused her of stealing a neckless.

It is alleged that the theft report was false and that the neckless was a gift from him to the client.

The client gave the police a photo of her and Respondent where she was wearing the neckless bearing a price tag and both were smiling.

She further advised police that they were in an intimate relationship and that Respondent “is stupid and high on coke.”

Respondent went back to the police and attempted to give two gifts to the investigating officer for “doing [him] a solid and going over the top.”

He admitted that “there was a little bit more going on” and offered to show the officer nude photos of the client.

The CPO was dropped and he represented the client at a meeting with her probation officer. She later told the probation officer that Respondent was supplying her with drugs.

The client died of fentanyl intoxication on November 21, 2020 at the age of 24.

Respondent was convicted of violating the CPO but the conviction was overturned on appeal for a “technicality.” 

He allegedly made “demeaning, slanderous and unprofessional” statements about the judge in the client’s probation matter, which are omitted from the complaint to “maintain professionalism and civility in this pleading.”

Respondent is alleged to have made false statements in response to the bar investigation and “generally been uncooperative” in the investigation. (Mike Frisch)