Thu December 27, 2007
Panel recommends disbarment for gAssaway
By Jay F. Marks
Staff Writer
Oklahoma City attorney Mike Gassaway could lose his license to practice law if the state Supreme Court adopts the recommendation of an Oklahoma Bar Association panel.
The three member disciplinary panel found Gassaway violated the rules of professional conduct for attorneys on at least five occasions, according to a report filed today.
Attorney Billy Bock, who represents Gassaway, said he hopes the Supreme Court will opt for a lesser punishment than the one recommended by the panel.
Gassaway had been accused of 15 misconduct allegations, but most of them were rejected by the disciplinary panel.
Despite that, the panel did not have many flattering things to say about the veteran attorney who has been to prison twice for tax violations.
The panel's report dismissed Gassaway's "self-serving testimony" about an allegation he filed a different order than the one he had signed by an Oklahoma County judge in July 2002, less than two months after Gassaway was allowed to resume practicing law once he got out of prison.
The report also noted Gassaway's "willingness and eagerness" to trade sexual favors for attorney fees when offered the chance by a client's girlfriend in 2006.
The incident resulted in a misdemeanor charge of solicitation. Gassaway was acquitted by an Oklahoma County jury, but the disciplinary panel concluded he abused his position as an attorney and violated the profession's moral standards.
http://www.newsok.com/article/3185873/
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