Disciplinary Actions – 4/13/11

The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission brings charges against attorneys who have violated the state’s rules for admission to the bar and Rules of Professional Conduct. The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications brings charges against judges, judicial officers, or judicial candidates for misconduct. Details of attorneys’ and judges’ actions for which they are being disciplined by the Supreme Court will be included unless they are not a matter of public record under the court’s rules.

Suspension
Neil C. Thomas of Vanderburgh County has been suspended from the practice of law for a period of 180 days, beginning April 29, 2010, with 60 days actively served and the remainder stayed subject to completion of 18 months of probation with monitoring by the Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program.

In a Supreme Court order filed March 24, 2011, Thomas was suspended for the violation of Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct 8.4(b): committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer; 8.4(c): engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; and 8.4(d) engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. Thomas began taking a prescribed drug for migraine headaches in the 1970s, and in 2001 increased use of the drug due to other health issues. While serving as a deputy prosecutor from February 2009 to February 2010, he obtained 85 prescriptions of the drug from three different physicians in violation of Ind. Code 35-48-4-14(c). He resigned his position as deputy prosecutor in March 2010.•