Disciplinary Actions

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.

Probation
Howard County attorney Steven K. Raquet was suspended for 180 days, stayed subject to the completion of 18 months of probation and monitoring, per a June 28 order, for overdrafts and attorney trust account mismanagement that led to his bookkeeper pleading guilty to theft and embezzlement.

Reinstatement
Adams County attorney Joseph M. Johnson III was reinstated to the practice of law per a May 28 order, after his May 17, 2017 suspension for at least one year without automatic reinstatement following his conviction for a pattern of harassment against a former girlfriend. Johnson owes any costs arising from the disciplinary proceedings.

Suspensions
Marion County attorney Steven T. Fulk was suspended effective immediately for noncooperation with the investigation of a grievance, per a June 28 order. He is ordered to reimburse the Disciplinary Commission $527.50 for the costs of prosecuting this proceeding.

Knox County attorney Mark D. Geheb’s Nov. 1, 2018, suspension for noncooperation with the disciplinary process was converted to an indefinite suspension per a May 28 order. Geheb was accused of failing to maintain adequate records, overdrafting his attorney trust account, commingling client and attorney funds, and converting client funds for his personal use. Per a subsequent June 28 order approving a statement of circumstances and conditional agreement for discipline, Geheb is suspended for six months without automatic reinstatement, and costs or the proceeding are assessed against him.

Lake County attorney Raymond Gupta was suspended effective immediately per a June 18 order. The order said Gupta engaged in misconduct that may cause his continued practice of law during the pendency of a disciplinary investigation or proceeding to pose a substantial threat of harm to the public, clients, potential clients or the administration of justice.

Illinois attorney Nicholas C. Kefalos was suspended from the practice of law in Indiana per a July 11 order as reciprocal discipline after he was suspended for professional misconduct in Illinois. Costs of the proceeding are assessed against him.

Marion County attorney Kraig A. Kenworthy was suspended indefintely from the practice of law due to disability, effective immediately per a May 13 order. He was suspended in January after he was charged with intimidation for allegedly telephoning threats to Marion Superior Court staff.

Tennessee attorney Randy Paul Lucas was suspended indefintely from the practice of law in Indiana per a June 28 order as reciprocal discipline after he was suspended for professional misconduct in Tennessee. Costs of the proceeding are assessed against him.

Marion County attorney Jordan E. Olivetti was suspended effective immediately per a June 28 order for his conviction of Level 6 felony operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

Marion County attorney Hilary Bowe Ricks was suspended for at least two years without automatic reinstatement per a June 17 published opinion for neglecting client cases, keeping thousands of dollars in unearned fees, and failing to cooperate with the disciplinary process. Justices Steven David and Geoffrey Slaughter dissent regarding sanction, believing Ricks should be disbarred.

Allen County attorney Randall B. Stiles was suspended per a June 18 order after he was found guilty in bankruptcy court of felony making a false declaration in bankruptcy; felony embezzlement of a bankruptcy estate; and misdemeanor failure to file a tax return.•