Opinion
No. 2008-BD-00450-SCT.
July 25, 2008.
ORDER
This matter first came before the Court, sitting en banc, on a formal complaint filed by the Mississippi Bar ("Bar") which alleged that "[Sidney A.] Backstrom tendered a plea of guilty in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi to one count of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 371." Backstrom waived process and agreed that the action could be heard and disposed of without further notice to him.
On July 2, 2008, final judgment was entered in United States of America v. Sidney A. Backstrom, Criminal Case No. 3:07CR00192-003 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, finding that on June 27, 2008, Backstrom was adjudicated guilty of Conspiracy to Commit Bribery of an Elected State Official by Means of Wire Fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371. On July 9, 2008, pursuant to Mississippi Rule of Discipline 6, the Bar then filed a Motion to Disbar or to Grant Other Relief. Backstrom filed an Acknowledgment and Consent to Motion to Disbar or to Grant Other Relief, acknowledging the judgment in the criminal case and consenting to the Bar's requested relief. This Court finds the Motion to Disbar by the Bar is well-taken and should be granted.
IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED, ADJUDGED, and DECREED as follows:
1. Sidney A. Backstrom is hereby permanently DISBARRED from the practice of law in the state of Mississippi.
2. This order shall constitute notice of permanent disbarment in this cause.
3. The Clerk of this Court shall forward an attested copy of this order to Sidney A. Backstrom and the Executive Director of the Mississippi Bar.
4. Sidney A. Backstrom shall, within thirty days following entry of this order, notify clients and affected courts of his disbarment and comply with all other requirements applicable to disbarred attorneys pursuant to MRD 11.
5. Sidney A. Backstrom shall, within forty-five days following entry of this order, file an affidavit with this Court stating that all of his clients have been notified of his disbarment and his consequent inability to practice law in Mississippi and that he has complied fully with all the requirements set forth in MRD 11.
6. The Clerk of this Court shall immediately forward an attested copy of this order to the circuit court judges and chancellors in and for Lafayette County, Mississippi, and the senior judge of each court shall enter this order upon the minutes of his or her respective court.
7. The Clerk of this Court likewise shall immediately forward an attested copy of this order to the Clerks of the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi, the Clerk of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the Clerk of the Supreme Court of the United States.
8. The Bar shall recover from Sidney A. Backstrom all of its costs and expenses of this disciplinary action.
SO ORDERED, this the 25th day of July, 2008.