Ex-prosecutor candidate wants to resign from bar

An attorney and former Democratic candidate for prosecutor in Gibson County who pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and possession of child pornography tendered his resignation from the bar during a disciplinary hearing in open court Tuesday.

G. Michael Witte, executive director of the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission, confirmed that William Wallace III told hearing officer Timothy Crowley he wants to resign from the bar. Wallace was in Knox County for a proceeding in a disciplinary case filed against him.

Wallace was ordered to register as a sex offender following his guilty plea to the Class D felonies, which would be entered as Class A misdemeanors after successful completion of probation and no other arrests or convictions during this time, based on his plea agreement.

Wallace was indicted in June 2010 on charges of Class D felonies obstruction of justice and possession of child pornography, Class A misdemeanor patronizing a prostitute, and Class B misdemeanor false informing. He also faced a Class D felony voyeurism charge. The charges stem from Wallace allegedly videotaping himself having sex with a former client and employee without her permission. He allegedly told the client that if the two had sex, he would write off money she owed him for legal fees. When police executed a search warrant of his home, they took computers, on which they found child pornography.

Witte said he normally could not comment on pending disciplinary actions, but could do so in this case because Crowley announced Wallace’s resignation in open court and on the record.

It is up to the Supreme Court to decide whether to accept the resignation. If it does, Wallace will be unable to petition for reinstatement for five years, and the reinstatement process can take up to one to two years, Witte said.