Case Title: Board of Professional Responsibility v. Vidakovich

Citation: 

Docket Number: D-89-18

State: wyoming

Court: Wyoming Supreme Court

Date: 1991-09-09T00:00:00Z

Document:
Board of Professional Responsibility v. Vidakovich1991 WY 115816 P.2d 885Case Number: D-89-18Decided: 09/09/1991Supreme Court of Wyoming
BOARD 
OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY, PETITIONER,

 
 
v.

 
 
JOHN 
L. VIDAKOVICH, RESPONDENT. No. D-89-18

 
 
Randal 
R. Arp, Wyoming State Bar, Cheyenne, for petitioner.

 
 
John 
L. Vidakovich, pro se. 

 
 
Before 
URBIGKIT, C.J., and THOMAS, CARDINE, MACY and GOLDEN, 
JJ.

 
 
ORDER 
OF DISBARMENT

 
 
URBIGKIT, 
Chief Justice.

 
 

[¶1.]     The Board of 
Professional Responsibility of the Wyoming State Bar on August 13, 1991 
presented to this Court its Report of Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and 
Recommendations, charging the above-named respondent-attorney, regularly 
admitted to the practice of law in the state of Wyoming, with professional misconduct. 
Automatic review and final decision is required of this Court by Wyo. Const. 
art. 2, § 1 and art. 5, § 2; W.S. 5-2-118 and Rule VI(b)(4) and (h), 
Disciplinary Code for the Wyoming State Bar. After consideration 
thereof, the Court, by clear and convincing evidence, 
finds:

 
 

[¶2.]     The respondent-attorney 
was convicted of three felonies arising from activities pursued in the practice 
of law, which conduct involved misapplication of funds, false entry in bank 
records and obstruction of justice.

 
 

[¶3.]     Following conviction, a 
suspension order was issued by this Court dated November 28, 1989. This Court 
referred the matter to the Wyoming State Bar Board of Professional 
Responsibility for formal disciplinary proceedings as provided by Rules XVI and 
VI of the Disciplinary Code for the Wyoming State Bar.

 
 

[¶4.]     After a hearing and the 
receipt of evidence, the Board of Professional Responsibility made its Report of 
Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Recommendations to this Court. The 
Report of Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Recommendations is attached 
hereto and incorporated in haec verba as Appendix A.

 
 

[¶5.]     Having reviewed the 
record, briefs and memoranda, the Court further finds that the record sustains 
factually and justifies legally the Report of Findings of Fact, Conclusions of 
Law and Recommendations of the Board of Professional Responsibility and 
determines that the recommended disbarment from the practice of law is 
appropriate under Rule 8.4, Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys at 
Law.

 
 
ORDERED;

 
 

[¶6.]     1. John L. Vidakovich 
is disbarred as a member of the Wyoming State Bar pursuant to his license to 
practice law, and costs incurred in this proceeding of $835.52 are assessed for 
repayment to the Wyoming State Bar Board of Professional 
Responsibility.

 
 

[¶7.]     2. The entry date for 
this decision is the date hereof. Since respondent has been under suspension 
since conviction by order of November 28, 1989, the effective date for 
disbarment for purposes of reinstatement is November 28, 1989 and, for any other 
purpose, will be the date of execution and filing of this 
order.

 
 

[¶8.]     3. Respondent-attorney 
is advised that he may not apply for reinstatement until the expiration of at 
least five (5) years from the effective date of the disbarment pursuant to Rule 
XXII(a) of the Disciplinary Code for the Wyoming State Bar. In the event that 
application should be made in the future, it will not be accepted until 
restitution of costs and expenses have been made and any other requirements then 
in effect for re-examination or continuing legal education have been 
satisfied.

 
 

[¶9.]     4. The clerk of this 
Court shall docket the Report of Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and 
Recommendations, and all supporting papers of the Board of Professional 
Responsibility, as well as this Order as a matter coming regularly before this 
Court as a public record.

 
 

APPENDIX 
A

 
 
State 
of Wyoming

 
 
ss.

 
 

County 
of Laramie

 
 
Before 
the Board of Professional Responsibility

 
 
Wyoming 
State Bar

 
 
State 
of Wyoming

 
 
In 
the Matter of

 
 
John 
L. Vidakovich, Respondent.

 
 
REPORT 
OF FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW AND 
RECOMMENDATIONS

 
 

[¶10.]  COMES NOW the Board of Professional 
Responsibility of the Wyoming State Bar and hereby files its report in the 
above-captioned matter.

 
 

[¶11.]  On June 18, 1991, a hearing was held in 
the conference room of the office of the Wyoming State Bar, Cheyenne, Wyoming. Committee members present at the 
hearing were Joseph E. Vlastos, Chairman, James L. Edwards, Michael H. McCarty, 
Herb Carter, Mary Flitner and Timothy O. Beppler. Appearing on behalf of the 
Wyoming State Bar was Randal R. Arp. The Respondent's attorney, David B. Hooper, 
filed a notice of withdrawal which was dated June 13, 1991 and filed on June 14, 
1991. The Respondent, John L. Vidakovich, appeared pro-se by telephone speaker. 
At the outset of the hearing, the Board of Professional Responsibility treated 
the notice of withdrawal as a motion and granted the withdrawal of Mr. 
Hooper.

 
 

[¶12.]  Due to telephone difficulties in the 
conference room, the call was placed by the Board to the 
Respondent.

 
 

[¶13.]  As a preliminary matter, the Board denied 
the Respondent's request that the proceeding be suspended and the Board reserved 
ruling on the other documents filed June 14, 1991 and June 18, 1991 by the 
Respondent.

 
 

[¶14.]  The Board of Professional Responsibility 
then proceeded with the hearing. The Board of Professional Responsibility, after 
having reviewed the official file, the testimony of the witness and the evidence 
presented at the hearing, and after having otherwise reviewed the matter, does 
hereby make the following findings of fact and conclusions of 
law:

 
 
FINDINGS 
OF FACT

 
 

[¶15.]  1. Respondent is a member of the Wyoming 
State Bar licensed to practice law who formerly maintained an office in 
Jackson, Wyoming (Complaint para. 1; Answer para. 
1).

 
 

[¶16.]  2. The Respondent was admitted to the 
Wyoming State Bar in 1965 (Tr. 14-22). The Respondent originally practiced in 
Lander and thereafter had offices in Denver, 
Colorado, JeffreyCity, 
Riverton, Lander and Cheyenne. The Respondent had an extensive law 
practice before his problems (Tr. 15-1 through 10). 

 
 

[¶17.]  3. On May 18, 1989, Respondent pled 
guilty to three felony counts. The judgment and probation/commitment order was 
entered by the court on November 20, 1989 after defendant's appearance before 
the court on November 15, 1989 (Complaint para. 2; Answer para. 
2).

 
 

[¶18.]  4. On November 28, 1989, the Wyoming 
Supreme Court entered its ORDER OF SUSPENSION FROM THE PRACTICE OF LAW regarding 
the Respondent. The order referred the matter to the Grievance Committee (now 
Board of Professional Responsibility) for formal disciplinary 
proceedings.

 
 

[¶19.]  5. The Respondent did not comply with the 
affidavit and notification procedure set forth in Rule XX(f) of the Disciplinary 
Code of the Wyoming State Bar (Answer para. 4; official 
record).

 
 

[¶20.]  6. The Respondent was the chairman of the 
board and the major shareholder of the Yellowstone State Bank, an institution 
which failed and was subsequently taken over by the Federal Deposit Insurance 
Corporation (Tr. 15-12; Exhibit A). The Respondent pled guilty in United States 
District Court for the District of Wyoming to misapplication of funds, false 
entry in bank records and obstruction of justice (Tr. 15-18; Exhibit 
A).

 
 

[¶21.]  7. The Respondent was represented by an 
attorney in these proceedings through June 18, 1991. The Respondent had the 
opportunity to have witnesses appear and the opportunity to appear himself and 
participate by telephone (official record, official transcript). Notice of the 
hearing was mailed to the Respondent and his counsel of record at their 
addresses of record on May 23, 1991 (official record).

 
 

[¶22.]  8. The Respondent directly appealed his 
guilty pleas and judgment of conviction to the United States Circuit Court of 
Appeals and, in turn, to the United States Supreme Court (Tr. 17-7, Exhibit 2, 
Exhibit A). Certiorari was denied by the United States Supreme Court (Exhibit 
A).

 
 

[¶23.]  9. The Respondent anticipates making 
collateral attacks in the future, probably August 1991. The Respondent is 
awaiting the outcome of a parole hearing before filing for further relief (Tr. 
8-14, 12-22, 13-6, 18-8). The Respondent intends to pursue further 
post-conviction relief under Title 28 United States Code, Section 2255 (Tr. 13-6 
through 11).

 
 

[¶24.]  10. The Respondent had a direct appeal of 
his guilty pleas and conviction (Tr. 13-9, 17-7, Exhibit 
A).

 
 

[¶25.]  11. No Section 2255 motion has been filed 
as of the date of the disciplinary hearing on June 18, 
1991.

 
 

[¶26.]  12. The Disciplinary Code does not 
specify as a type of sanction a "consent decree" or voluntary withdrawal or 
surrender of license in the face of a pending disciplinary proceeding and 
possible sanctions. The jurisdiction of the Board of the Professional 
Responsibility might very well be removed by permitting a voluntary withdrawal 
or surrender of license when disciplinary proceedings or investigations are 
pending.

 
 

[¶27.]  13. The costs and expenses incurred in 
this grievance proceeding total $ ____. Respondent was notified of the costs and 
expenses of the proceedings and no objection thereto was received from 
Respondent (Affidavit of Costs and Expenses, official Board 
file).

 
 

[¶28.]  14. Pursuant to Rule XXIII of the 
Disciplinary Code, the costs are reasonable and necessary and should be assessed 
against the Respondent as part of these proceedings.

 
 

[¶29.]  15. The Board of Professional 
Responsibility finds that Bar Counsel's Exhibits A through G should be admitted 
but that Bar Counsel's Exhibit H should not be admitted. The Board of 
Professional Responsibility finds that Respondent's Exhibits 1 and 2 should be 
admitted.

 
 
CONCLUSIONS 
OF LAW

 
 

[¶30.]  1. The Board has jurisdiction of this 
matter pursuant to Rule I of the Disciplinary Code for the Wyoming State 
Bar.

 
 

[¶31.]  2. By reason of conviction of three 
felony counts consisting of misapplication of funds, false entry in bank records 
and obstruction of justice, Respondent has violated Rules 8.4(b) and 8.4(c) of 
the Rules of Professional Conduct promulgated by the Wyoming Supreme 
Court.

 
 
3. 
Rule 8.4(b) provides as follows:

 
 
Rule 
8.4. Misconduct.

It 
is professional misconduct for a lawyer to . . .:

(b) 
commit a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, 
trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects;

4. 
Rule 8.4(c) provides as follows:

 
 
Rule 
8.4. Misconduct.

It 
is professional misconduct for a lawyer to . . .:

(c) 
engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation. . . 
.

 
 

[¶32.]  5. Pursuant to Rule XVI(c) of the 
Disciplinary Code of the Wyoming State Bar, the certified copy of the judgment 
of conviction is conclusive evidence that the Respondent committed the crime set 
forth therein.

 
 

[¶33.]  6. The Respondent's anticipatory appeal 
pursuant to Title 28 United States Code, Section 2255 is not a direct appeal of 
his conviction; direct appeal by the Respondent has taken place and the language 
of Disciplinary Code Section XVI(d) providing that sanction hearings shall not 
take place until all appeals are concluded refers to direct appeals. There is no 
good reason for suspending or delaying the proceedings.

 
 

[¶34.]  7. A voluntary surrender or withdrawal of 
license would be improper in the face of a pending disciplinary proceeding and 
sanctions.

 
 

[¶35.]  8. The Respondent has had the opportunity 
to appear, present witnesses and exhibits and otherwise contest and defend the 
sanction phase of this proceeding as set forth in the Disciplinary 
Code.

 
 

[¶36.]  9. Bar Counsel's Exhibits A through G are 
admitted; Bar Counsel's Exhibit H is not admitted. The Respondent's Exhibits 1 
and 2 are admitted.

 
 
RECOMMENDATIONS

 
 

[¶37.]  The Board of Professional Responsibility, 
based upon the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, and further 
based upon a review of the ABA Standards for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions, makes 
the following recommendations to the Wyoming Supreme Court with respect to John 
L. Vidakovich, Respondent.

 
 

[¶38.]  Section 5.0, "Violations of Duties Owed 
to the Public" is applicable. Pursuant to Section 5.11, disbarment is generally 
appropriate when: "(a) a lawyer engages in serious criminal conduct, a necessary 
element of which includes intentional interference with the administration of 
justice, false swearing, misrepresentation, fraud, extortion, misappropriation, 
or theft . . . or an attempt or conspiracy or solicitation of another to commit 
any of these offenses"; or "(b) a lawyer engages in any other intentional 
conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation that seriously 
adversely reflects on the lawyer's fitness to practice."

 
 

[¶39.]  As noted in the commentary contained 
under Section 5.1, most courts impose disbarment on lawyers who are convicted of 
serious felonies.

 
 

[¶40.]  The Board of Professional Responsibility 
finds the following aggravating factors in regard to this disciplinary 
matter:

 
 
1. 
Substantial experience in the practice of law.

2. 
An intentional or willful state of mind.

3. 
A dishonest, selfish motive.

4. 
A failure to comply with the Disciplinary Code Rule XX affidavit and 
notification procedure upon suspension.

5. 
A refusal to acknowledge wrongful nature of his conduct.

 
 
The 
following factors constitute mitigation:

 
 
1. 
Lack of prior misconduct.

 
 

[¶41.]  Aside from the testimony of the 
Respondent, no additional witness tendered testimony of good character and 
reputation was presented at the hearing.

 
 

[¶42.]  As noted in the ABA Standards, overwork, 
poor business practices and reliance on others should not be considered in 
aggravation or mitigation.

 
 

[¶43.]  It is the recommendation of the Board of 
Professional Responsibility, in view of the seriousness and type of offenses for 
which Respondent was convicted, and weighing the factors of aggravation and 
mitigation as set forth at the hearing, that the Respondent be disbarred. The 
Board of Professional Responsibility has attached hereto its certification of 
the costs and expenses incurred in connection with the investigation and 
disciplinary proceeding, and recommends to the Court the assessment of the costs 
so certified in the amount of $835.52 against the Respondent. Respondent should 
be advised that a person who has been disbarred after hearing may not apply for 
reinstatement until the expiration of at least five (5) years from the effective 
date of the disbarment pursuant to Disciplinary Code Rule XXII(a). Should 
Respondent make such application in the future, application should not be 
permitted until such time as restitution of costs and expenses has been made. 
The Board further recommends that any order imposed by the Court specify an 
entry date and an effective date.

 
 

[¶44.]  The foregoing Report Of Findings Of Fact, 
Conclusions Of Law And Recommendations (with exception of costs and expenses) 
were adopted by the Board unanimously in conference on June 18, 1991. Costs and 
expenses were certified following notice, opportunity to contest and lack of 
objection thereto. There were no dissenting or minority 
views.

 
 

[¶45.]  DATED this 13 day of August, 
1991.