Attorney Reinstated After Disbarment For Theft from County Bar Association

The Wyoming Supreme Court has reinstated a disbarred attorney, accepted an (appended) Review Panel's favorable findings.

Cody Enterprise (founded by Buffalo Bill in 1899) reported on the disbarment

Cody attorney Sam Krone, a former state representative and county deputy prosecutor who pleaded guilty last fall to stealing more than $9,600 from the county bar association, has been disbarred.

The Wyoming Supreme Court issued an order last week disbarring Krone from the practice of law. The order of disbarment is effective Aug. 24, 2016, the date the court previously issued an order of immediate suspension of Krone.

The disbarment resulted from Krone’s guilty plea to one felony count and one misdemeanor conviction arising from his wrongful conversion of funds from the Park County Bar Association in 2011 and 2013, when Krone served as the association’s treasurer, a state Supreme Court release reads.

Krone was given a 15-day jail term, to be served piecemeal, at his discretion, over the next six months. He was also given 20 days house arrest, three years probation, 240 hours of community service and a bulk restitution payment to the Bar Association to pay back the stolen funds.

Five other counts, including two additional felonies, were dismissed as part of Krone’s plea package.

Shortly after the criminal charges were brought against Krone, the Wyoming Supreme Court issued an order immediately suspending Krone from the practice of law, pending resolution of formal disciplinary proceedings against Krone.

Having the order be effective as of the August 2016 date means Krone admitted his conduct violated multiple rules, including commission of a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty and engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation of the Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct.

In addition to being disbarred, Krone was ordered to pay an administrative fee of $750 and costs of $50 to the Wyoming State Bar.

Under Wyoming’s Rules of Disciplinary Procedure for lawyers, Krone will become eligible to petition for reinstatement five years after the 2016 date disbarment date.

(Mike Frisch)