Opinion
D.D. No. 78-8
Decided February 7, 1979.
Attorneys at law — Misconduct — Acts warranting disbarment.
ON CERTIFIED REPORT by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline.
In April 1978, relator, the Medina County Bar Association, filed a complaint with the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline. Relator alleged that respondent, Edwin A. Haddad, was guilty of a violation of DR 1-102(A) (3) by virtue of being convicted, under R.C. 2921.02, of offering and giving a bribe to a prosecuting attorney. Relator also requested that respondent be permanently disbarred. After a hearing in which respondent's misconduct was stipulated and the only issue remaining was the discipline to be imposed, the board recommended that he be indefinitely suspended from the practice of law.
Mr. Stephen J. Brown, for relator.
Mr. John C. Oberholtzer, for respondent.
The sole issue before this court is whether respondent should receive the indefinite suspension recommended by the board or the permanent disbarment requested by relator.
In Cleveland Bar Assn. v. Fatica (1971), 28 Ohio St.2d 40, this court permanently disbarred an attorney convicted of soliciting and accepting a bribe. We find the Cleveland case to control this one. Society's confidence in those occupying positions of public trust, including members of the bar who are officers of the court, is seriously undermined when a person in that position either accepts or gives a bribe. We therefore rule that respondent be permanently disbarred from the practice of law.
Judgment accordingly.
CELEBREZZE, C.J., HERBERT, W. BROWN, CONNORS, SWEENEY, PRYATEL and HOLMES, JJ., concur.
CONNORS, J., of the Sixth Appellate District, sitting for P. BROWN, J.
PRYATEL, J., of the Eighth Appellate District, sitting for LOCHER, J.