Opinion
Case Number: SCBD-5964
02-07-2013
STATE OF OKLAHOMA ex rel. OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION, Complainant, v. MICHAEL STEVEN MORGAN, Respondent.
FOR PUBLICATION IN OBJ ONLY. NOT RELEASED FOR OFFICIAL PUBLICATION.
ORDER OF IMMEDIATE INTERIM SUSPENSION
The Oklahoma Bar Association (OBA), in compliance with Rule 7.1 and 7.2 of the Rules Governing Disciplinary Proceedings (RGDP), has forwarded to this Court certified copies of the Indictment and Judgment in a Criminal Case in which Michael Steven Morgan, was found guilty of one count of theft or bribery in programs receiving federal funds, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666(a)(1)(B). Rule 7.3 of the RGDP provides: "Upon receipt of the certified copies of Judgment and Sentence on a plea of guilty, order deferring judgment and sentence, indictment or information and the judgment and sentence, the Supreme Court shall by order immediately suspend the lawyer from the practice of law until further order of the Court." Having received certified copies of these papers and orders, this Court orders that Michael Steven Morgan is immediately suspended from the practice of law. Michael Steven Morgan is directed to show cause, if any, no later than March 18, 2013, why this order of interim suspension should be set aside. See RGDP Rule 7.3. The OBA has until March 29, 2013, to respond to Michael Steven Morgan should one be filed.
Rule 7.2 of the RGDP provides that a certified copy of a plea of guilty, of an order deferring judgment and sentence, or information and judgment and sentence of conviction "shall constitute the charge and be conclusive evidence of the commission of the crime upon which the judgment and sentence is based and shall suffice as the basis for discipline in accordance with these rules." Pursuant to Rule 7.4 of the RGDP, Michael Steven Morgan has until April 8, 2013, to show cause in writing why a final order of discipline should not be imposed, to request a hearing, or to file a brief and any evidence tending to mitigate the severity of discipline. The OBA has until April 19, 2013, to respond.
DONE BY ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT this 7th day of February 2013.
CHIEF JUSTICE
ALL JUSTICES CONCUR