Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Judge Disbarred for Misconduct

The Supreme Court of Ohio has disbarred Judge Jeffrey Hoskins for engaging in a pattern of professional misconduct “incompatible with his duties as a judge and a lawyer.”

In the decision, the Court unanimously affirmed the disciplinary board’s findings that Hoskins violated multiple provisions of the Code of Judicial Conduct while serving on the bench...

With regard to the offenses alleged during his years in private practice, the Court adopted the board’s findings that Hoskins engaged in a pattern of misconduct involving fraud, deceit, dishonesty or misrepresentation and committed other ethical offenses by repeatedly making improper and unauthorized withdrawals of money for his own use from the estates of several relatives over whose assets he exercised fiduciary control as executor or administrator.

The board also found that Hoskins failed to timely disburse estate assets to the rightful beneficiaries, failed to keep required records accounting for his withdrawals and disbursements from the estates, charged excessive legal fees, and filed incomplete, inaccurate and misleading reports with the probate court that concealed his improper diversion of funds from the estates to his own use.

The Court’s 7-0 per curiam decision permanently revokes Hoskins’ license as an attorney and bars him for life from the practice of law in Ohio.

Full Article and Source:
First Ohio Judge In Decades Disbarred For Misconduct

1 comment:

  1. Misconduct? Improper diversion of funds? Is this a joke? This is theft and he got caught.

    Why is it that when a judge or a lawyer in a position of trust has engaged in criminal activities, it is labeled as ..... misconduct???? Special courtesies?

    Has this case been referred to the authorities for investigation and prosecution? If not, why not?

    Will former judge Hoskins be dragged into criminal court? He deserves punishment for his "naughty" behavior. He earned a harsh prison sentence and full restitution.

    ReplyDelete