Office of Disciplinary Counsel v. Westgate
Office of Disciplinary Counsel v. Westgate
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} In Westgate I, 80 Ohio St.3d 34, 684 N.E.2d 311, we ordered that respondent be suspended from the practice of law for six months because he agreed to an order suspending his client’s alimony payments without consulting her. We then stayed imposition of that sanction and placed respondent on a one-year probation during which he was to pursue instruction on managing a law office and pay the costs of the disciplinary proceeding. Respondent did not comply with our order, and on April 15, 1998, we ordered him to show cause why he should not be held in contempt. Respondent also did not comply with the show cause order. Accordingly, in Westgate II, 84 Ohio St.3d 1418, 702 N.E.2d 429, we found him in contempt, revoked his probation, and suspended his license to practice law pending his compliance.
{¶ 3} In July 1999, a former client of respondent began requesting that respondent return his case file and various police reports so that the client could challenge the criminal conviction for which he was serving a prison sentence. The client sent respondent a certified letter documenting his request; however, respondent made no reply.
{¶ 4} After attempting to contact respondent by mail and subpoena, relator, Disciplinary Counsel, filed a complaint with the board on April 9, 2001, charging respondent with professional misconduct. Relator served respondent through the clerk of this court pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(11)(B), and when he failed to answer, relator filed a motion for default. Thereafter, relator discovered respondent’s cellular telephone number and was able to personally advise respondent of
{¶ 5} A master commissioner for the board heard the cause and found the facts as stated, with the additional finding that respondent’s official status for the 1999 biennium was “ ‘not registered.’ ” The commissioner concluded that respondent’s conduct violated the above Disciplinary Rules and recommended that he be indefinitely suspended from the practice of law. The board adopted these findings of misconduct and this recommendation.
{¶ 6} We agree that respondent violated DR 1-102(A)(5), 1 — 102(A)(6), 9-102(B)(4), and Gov.Bar R. V(4)(G) and VI(1)(A) and (D). We further agree that respondent’s misconduct warrants the penalty recommended. Therefore, we order that respondent be suspended indefinitely from the practice of law in Ohio. Costs are taxed to respondent.
Judgment accordingly.
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