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A reprimand and probation has been imposed by the Maine Board of Bar Overseers

Respondent was appointed in February of 2023 to represent W.B. in two criminal driving matters pending in Cumberland County. W.B. is not presently a U.S. citizen and has family overseas. W.B. traveled overseas to visit his family in July 2023 through September 2023. W.B. sent a copy of his travel itinerary to Respondent by electronic mail on July 13, 2023. W.B.’s case was set for docket call on July 14, 2023. At or after that docket call, the case was set for jury selection in August of 2023. W.B. had been given permission to attend on that date by Zoom, and Respondent would send him the login information and the time.

On the date of jury selection, August 15, 2023, Complainant was still overseas pursuant to his travel schedule previously sent to Respondent in July 2023. Respondent emailed Complainant on August 15, 2023, and asked him “are you coming to court today?” Complainant responded and reminded Respondent that he was still traveling, and it does not appear that Respondent provided Complainant with any Zoom information to join the court appearance on August 15, 2023, or the time for the appearance, and Complainant therefore did not join.

The Court issued a warrant against Complainant for his failure to appear in court on August 15, 2023. Respondent did not notify Complainant of the warrant after it was issued. Respondent and Complainant met by video in October of 2023. During the video call, Respondent discussed a plea offer that he wanted Complainant to accept. Complainant did not want to accept an offer but wanted to go to trial. The Respondent did not tell the Complainant that he had a warrant for missing jury selection at any point during that video call. W.B. would not have missed court but for Respondent’s failure to provide information.

Respondent admitted in his responses to the investigation in this matter that he had “no proof that [he] forwarded him the actual information about the docket call zoom link and time. I can only assume I did not.” Complainant was arrested on the warrant on December 31, 2023 and taken to jail. W.B. would not have been arrested but for Respondent’s failure to provide information. Complainant had to post bail, and had to recover his car, which was towed. After his arrest, Complainant made multiple attempts to contact Respondent. He emailed Respondent on January 1, 2024 to ask him why he had a warrant. The respondents had not responded to W.B.’s inquiries by January 10, 2024.

Respondent has practiced for 25 years without prior discipline. (Mike Frisch)