2 Tri-City attorneys suspended in dollars for deals scam

2 Tri-City attorneys suspended in dollars for deals scam, Tri-City Herald, Dec. 7, 2007. A contract public defender and an assistant city prosecutor allegedly told defendants in Benton County District Court that they would get lighter sentences if they made donations to the Kennewick Home Base youth program. And then they pocketed the donations. To the tune of some $160,000. They both pleaded guilty in September and are awaiting sentencing. The Washington State Bar Association has suspended them while it investigates.

The back story: Defendants got off the hook if they donated to charity, Seattle Times, Aug. 16, 2006. The two lawyers were prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. The press release announcing the indictment (Dec. 12, 2006) is here. Kennewick Defense Attorney is Arraigned in Deal Scam, KNDO, Jan. 3, 2007.

Thanks: Arbitrary & Capricious.