Opinion
No. 05PDJ073.
February 7, 2006.
Attorney Regulation.
The Presiding Disciplinary Judge approved a Conditional Admission of Misconduct submitted by the parties and suspended Respondent Ida Escobedo-Betson (Attorney Registration No. 19341) from the practice of law for a period of four months, thirty (30) days stayed upon the successful completion of a two-year period of probation, with conditions, effective March 10, 2006. Respondent, who worked as a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) for the State of Colorado, knowingly disobeyed obligations under the rules of a tribunal when she failed to comply with Chief Justice Directive 97-02 ("Directive"). The Directive specifically requires that a GAL meet with his or her assigned children at their homes or other placements. Contrary to the Directive, Respondent met with a significant number of the children at locations other than their homes or other placements. Respondent also knowingly made a false statement of material fact to a tribunal when she submitted an affidavit of compliance asserting that she had met all the requirements of the Directive. Respondent's misconduct constituted grounds for the imposition of discipline pursuant to C.R.C.P. 251.5 and violated Colo. RPC 3.4(c), 3.3(a)(1), and 8.4(c).