Another New Jersey frequent flyer got a one-year suspension for a host of violations in representing a client in a criminal and civil matter involving the same facts.

The Disciplinary Review Board told the tale of a client charged with domestic violence and drug possession who wished to pursue a civil rights claim for the arrest

Although respondent’s suggestion that he and Borges conspire to fabricate evidence of physical and psychological damages was never consummated, the failure to complete the ruse was due, in part, to respondent’s related ethics transgression in failing to prosecute Borges’ remaining pending matters. Respondent should not escape discipline for unethical behavior by virtue of his corollary misconduct, the commission of gross neglect and lack of diligence. What damage to the integrity of the legal profession might result when an officer of the court counsels his client to commit such a deceitful act to artificially inflate damages in a lawsuit? While never coming to fruition, respondent’s actions were more than “deeply troubling,” they were dishonest, deceitful, and in violation of the RPCs. Respondent knew as much, telling Borges that he would deny that he ever made such a suggestion.

Respondent’s scorecard: Admitted 1992, admonished in 2007, admonished again in 2012, reprimanded in 2013 and suspended for three months in 2014.