Curbed Enthusiasm
A recent complaint filed by the Illinois Administrator
On June 5, 2022, at approximately 3:00 p.m., Respondent was driving westbound in his 2018 Chevrolet Camaro on Baltusrol Drive in Vernon Hills, Illinois. A witness observed the vehicle strike a curb and leave the roadway, just missing a tree. The vehicle resumed driving west on Baltusrol Drive and went out of sight. Approximately 10 minutes later, the witness again observed the vehicle traveling westbound on the same stretch of road and hitting the same curb, but this time striking the tree. The witness then observed the vehicle leaving the scene and continuing westward on Baltusrol Drive.
Vernon Hills Police Commander Daniel Hill was dispatched to the address where the vehicle was registered, which was Respondent’s home address. Commander Hill observed Respondent’s 2018 Chevrolet Camaro in the driveway of the residence, unoccupied and with significant front-end damage. Commander Hill went to the front door, spoke with a woman, and then observed Respondent, who had blood and a visible injury in his chin, standing in the residence. Commander Hill asked Respondent who crashed the Camaro. Respondent said, “Me.” When Commander Hill asked what happened, Respondent said, “I hit the curb.” Commander Hill asked Respondent if he intended to call the police about the incident, and Respondent indicated that he was going to. However, when Commander Hill asked Respondent what he had done since he got home, Respondent said, “Nothing.” Commander Hill observed Respondent to be unsteady on his feet, with slow and slurred speech and the smell of alcohol on his breath. Commander Hill asked Respondent if he had been drinking that day, and Respondent said no. Respondent told Commander Hill that he was unsteady because he was nervous.
He was nonetheless arrested
At the time of Respondent’s booking, officers learned that the 2018 Chevrolet Camaro driven by Respondent during the incident had an expired registration and was not insured. Respondent was issued the following citations: DUI alcohol; making an improper right turn; leaving the scene of an accident/vehicle damage only; operating a vehicle after registration expiration; and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Respondent was then released on a recognizance bond with a pending court date of June 22, 2022, in the Circuit Court of Lake County, in People of the State of Illinois v. Scott J. Sinton, docketed as case number 2022 DT 801.
He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor DUI and entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the Bar
Pursuant to the conditions of Respondent’s Commission Rule 108 deferral, Respondent was required to submit quarterly reports as described…above. Additionally, the Lawyers’ Assistance Program and Respondent’s sponsor or peer mentor were required to submit quarterly reports as described…above, respectively. During the time period alleged in this complaint, Respondent’s quarterly reports were due on October 10, 2025, and January 10, 2025. At no time did Respondent, or anyone on his behalf, submit any quarterly reports to the Commission.
On November 8, 2024, and November 14, 2024, Respondent was notified by text message by CertaTrust, a professional recovery compliance and monitoring agency, to submit to random substance testing on those dates. At no time on November 8, 2024, or on November 14, 2024, did Respondent submit to testing. On both dates, the Commission probation officer informed Respondent that his absences from testing were not excused.
Eventually
On February 11, 2025, the Inquiry Panel met and considered the information set forth in paragraphs one through 22, above, and determined to revoke Respondent’s deferred prosecution under Commission Rule 108 and vote that a complaint be filed in this matter.
(Mike Frisch)