Title: Disciplinary Counsel v. Bell

State: ohio

Issuer: Ohio Supreme Court

Document:

OFFICE OF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL v. BELL. 
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Bell (1998), ___ Ohio St.3d ___.] 
Attorneys at law — Misconduct — Public reprimand — Plea of guilty to two 
felony charges of presenting a false or forged prescription for a Schedule 
IV drug resulting in judgment of treatment in lieu of conviction. 
(No. 98-718 — Submitted May 27, 1998 — Decided September 30, 1998.) 
ON CERTIFIED REPORT by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and 
Discipline of the Supreme Court, No. 97-32. 
 
On October 1, 1996, based upon his plea of guilty to two felony charges of 
presenting a false or forged prescription for a Schedule IV drug, the Hamilton 
County Court of Common Pleas entered a judgment of treatment in lieu of 
conviction against respondent, John A. Bell, now of Knoxville, Tennessee, 
Attorney Registration No. 0025853.  Respondent reported his conviction, and on 
January 24, 1997, we suspended respondent from the practice of law for an interim 
period.  In re Bell (1997), 77 Ohio St.3d 1534, 674 N.E.2d 1176. 
 
On April 14, 1997, relator, Office of Disciplinary Counsel, filed a complaint 
charging that respondent’s actions which led to the felony charges and subsequent 
judgment entry violated DR 1-102(A)(4) (engaging in conduct involving 
dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation) and (6) (engaging in conduct 
adversely reflecting upon the attorney’s ability to practice law).  The matter was 
submitted to a panel of the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline 
of the Supreme Court (“board”).  Based upon stipulations of the parties, the panel 
found the facts as alleged and concluded that respondent’s actions constituted a 
violation of the Disciplinary Rules as charged. 
 
In mitigation, the panel found that respondent had a history of back pain 
that led to his drug use and ultimately to his intentionally presenting on two 
 
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occasions a false prescription for a substance known as Darvocet in violation of 
R.C. 2925.23.  The panel further found in mitigation that respondent had entered a 
plea of guilty, completed an inpatient drug dependency program, complied with 
his outpatient treatment, and cooperated with Disciplinary Counsel.  The panel 
recommended that respondent be publicly reprimanded.  The board adopted the 
findings, conclusions, and recommendation of the panel. 
__________________ 
 
Jonathan E. Coughlan, Disciplinary Counsel, and Harald F. Craig III, 
Assistant Disciplinary Counsel, for relator. 
 
John Ashley Bell, pro se. 
__________________ 
 
Per Curiam.  We adopt the findings, conclusions, and recommendation of 
the board.  Respondent is hereby publicly reprimanded.  Costs taxed to 
respondent. 
Judgment accordingly. 
 
MOYER, C.J., DOUGLAS, RESNICK, F.E. SWEENEY, PFEIFER, COOK and 
LUNDBERG STRATTON, JJ., concur.