Not Legal, Not Unethical

The Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board has recommended a one-year suspension with all but three months stayed in a case involving charges by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel that were both sustained and rejected in part.

The attorney was corporate counsel to a bail bonding company. He also had a private practice, but his offices was in the bonding company and it was his main client.

The bonding company had a "virtual monopoly" on the bail bond business in Jefferson Parish and a special relationship with an aptly-named Judge Green. 

Four parish judges were caught in an FBI sting  called Operation Wrinkled Robe.

The attorney was charged with violations arising from his advice that a $5,000 cash contribution to Judge Green was legal and proper. The cash was delivered to the judge at a golf tournament by an employee of the bonding company. The board found no ethical violations from the incorrect advice.

The attorney did engage in a ex parte contact with a judge in another case and committed other violations in representing private clients. (Mike Frisch)