A Message From “Michael”

A Louisiana Hearing Committee recommends that a disbarred attorney be permanently disbarred.

Respondent was disbarred in 2020.

The misconduct findings involve her interactions with a Parish District Attorney’s Office that was investigating economic crimes of an individual.

She identified herself as a “retired attorney” who did not represent the individual but sought to arrange for restitution. Further, she contacted the attorney for the victims and referred to the individual as “her client” and attempted to negotiate a resolution of the matter.

The committee noted that the conduct here involved the same client in the earlier disbarment matter, which was her participation in a “scheme  to falsely demonstrate [the client] had paid restitution to the victims of his crime when, in fact, he had not.”

Louisiana Record reported on the earlier case

In 2015 Johnson allegedly entered into a “romantic relationship” with “Michael,” who turned out to be her client, Kenneth Stanford, who allegedly disguised his voice during phone conversations with Wilson as part of a scheme to secure his release without paying restitution, according to the disciplinary proceeding.

“In several of the telephone calls, and in an apparent effort to conceal his true identity, Mr. Stanford identified himself by various alter egos, including ‘Michael,’ ‘Phillip,’ ‘James,’ ‘Brother,’ and ‘God’,” the proceeding said. “It appears [Johnson] fell in love with the individual alter-ego known as ‘Michael’ but considered Mr. Stanford as a brother-type figure whom she completely trusted.”

At the urging of “Michael,” Johnson allegedly lied to a chief investigator to whom she presented a receipt for Johnson’s unpaid restitution and claimed she’d taken and spent the money, according to the disciplinary proceeding.

Johnson’s alleged ruse was discovered, Standford’s probation was revoked and his obligation to pay restitution enforced, according to the proceeding.

Johnson subsequently admitted she “could not explain what went on in her mind to make her believe” Stanford’s impersonations, saying “there’s no rational explanation,” the proceeding said.

Johnson was admitted to the bar in Louisiana on Oct. 5, 1979, according to her profile at the Louisiana State Bar Association’s website.

In July, a split Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board, noting Johnson’s lengthy prior history of discipline, recommended Johnson be disbarred.

In her pre-argument brief, Johnson argued for a three-year suspension.

(Mike Frisch)