Do No Falsehood

An attorney who made a knowing false statement in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition has been disbarred by the New Hampshire Supreme Court. The petition filed on behalf of a wife had failed to disclose income earned by her husband. The attorney was serving a two-year suspension for other misconduct.

The court noted that the oath of admission requires an attorney to "do no falsehood, nor consent that any be done in the court." While the client had expressed a desire to shield her husband's income, that wish provided no excuse for the misconduct. Further, the client endured "unnecessary expense and additional hardship" as a result. (Mike Frisch)