Case Title: Columbus Bar Assn. v. Magana

Citation: 2000-Ohio-284

Docket Number: 19991558

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 2000-02-23T00:00:00Z

Document:
[Cite as Columbus Bar Assn. v. Magana, 88 Ohio St.3d 150, 2000-Ohio-284.] 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS BAR ASSOCIATION v. MAGANA. 
[Cite as Columbus Bar Assn. v. Magana (2000), 88 Ohio St.3d 150.] 
Attorneys at law — Misconduct — Indefinite suspension — Engaging in illegal 
conduct involving moral turpitude — Engaging in conduct adversely 
reflecting on fitness to practice law — Advancing financial assistance to a 
client — Engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or 
misrepresentation — Engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration 
of justice. 
(No. 99-1558 — Submitted October 12, 1999 — Decided February 23, 2000.) 
ON CERTIFIED REPORT by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and 
Discipline of the Supreme Court, No. 98-03. 
 
On February 17, 1998, relator, Columbus Bar Association, filed a two-count 
complaint charging respondent, Gualberto Magana of Columbus, Ohio, Attorney 
Registration No. 0030703, with violating the Code of Professional Responsibility 
and Rules for the Government of the Bar.  Respondent answered, and the matter 
was heard by a panel of the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline 
of the Supreme Court (“board”). 
 
The panel found that from October 1994 through March 1996, respondent 
represented Michelle Tincher-Khalil in a personal-injury matter.  He also 
 
 
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represented Tincher-Khalil in a paternity case from November 1995 through either 
May 1996, when respondent claims Tincher-Khalil discharged him, or August 
1996, when a decision in the case was rendered.  In December 1995, during the 
course of these representations, Tincher-Khalil moved into and lived in rental 
property owned by respondent.  Respondent did not charge Tincher-Khalil rent, but 
in May 1996 respondent filed a complaint to evict her for nonpayment of rent.  
Sometime after May 1996, and definitely during the period from July to September 
1996, respondent had sexual encounters with Tincher-Khalil.  Later, in December 
1996, respondent prepared pleadings for Tincher-Khalil with which she could 
initiate a divorce proceeding pro se.  No evidence indicates that the documents 
were ever filed. 
 
The panel concluded that respondent’s conduct violated DR 1-102(A)(3) 
(engaging in illegal conduct involving moral turpitude), 1-102(A)(6) (engaging in 
conduct that adversely reflects on the lawyer’s fitness to practice law), 5-103(B) 
(advancing financial assistance to a client), and 1-102(A)(1) (violating a 
Disciplinary Rule). 
 
The panel further found that on June 20, 1997, respondent pled guilty in the 
United States District Court to a felony offense of illegally acquiring and 
possessing United States Department of Agriculture food stamps.  He was fined, 
put on probation, and required to make restitution and perform two hundred hours 
 
 
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of community service.  The panel further noted that on June 18, 1998, based upon 
this conviction, we suspended respondent for an interim period.  In re Magana 
(1998), 82 Ohio St.3d 1446, 695 N.E.2d 268. 
 
The panel concluded that respondent’s conduct violated DR 1-102(A)(1), 1-
102(A)(3), 1-102(A)(4) (engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, 
or misrepresentation), 1-102(A)(5) (engaging in conduct prejudicial to the 
administration of justice), and 1-102(A)(6). 
 
The panel recommended that respondent be indefinitely suspended from the 
practice of law with no credit for time served under the pending interim 
suspension.  The board adopted the findings of the panel.  The board also 
concluded that with respect to his representation of Tincher-Khalil, respondent 
violated DR 1-102(A)(3), 1-102(A)(6), and 5-103(B), and that with respect to the 
acts pertaining to his felony conviction respondent violated 1-102(A)(3), 1-
102(A)(4), 1-102(A)(5), and 1-102(A)(6).  The board adopted the recommendation 
of the panel. 
__________________ 
 
Shawnell Williams, Stephen S. Francis and Bruce A. Campbell, for relator. 
 
Ralph A. Kerns, for respondent. 
__________________ 
 
 
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Per Curiam.  We adopt the findings, conclusions, and recommendation of 
the board.  Respondent is hereby indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in 
Ohio with no credit for time served under his pending interim suspension.  Costs 
are taxed to respondent. 
Judgment accordingly. 
 
MOYER, C.J., DOUGLAS, RESNICK, F.E. SWEENEY, PFEIFER, COOK and 
LUNDBERG STRATTON, JJ., concur.