Opinion
No. MR 20663.
March 2006.
Summary of Misconduct:
Mr. Wheaton, who was licensed in 1990, was suspended for 90 days and until he makes certain restitution. He told four different prison inmates or their families that he could obtain work release for them because of his access to a corrections official. He did not tell his clients that his services consisted entirely of making, at most, a few short telephone calls to the official's office to ask the official's secretary to check on work release availability for an inmate. When his clients sought information about their matters, he falsely told them that he had traveled to Springfield numerous times and "presented" their cases to the official. The suspension is effective on April 10, 2006.
Order of the Court:
The petition by the Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission for leave to file exceptions to the report and recommendation of the Review Board is denied. As recommended by the Review Board, respondent Christopher John Wheaton is suspended from the practice of law for 90 days and until he makes the following restitution:
$2,500 to Robert Metzger
$1,000 to Michael Colella
$1,000 to James Ruth
$1,000 to Rick Wellner.
Suspension effective April 10, 2006.
Respondent Christopher John Wheaton shall reimburse the Disciplinary Fund for any Client Protection payments arising from his conduct prior to the termination of the period of suspension.