Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_10-cv-02020/USCOURTS-azd-2_10-cv-02020-3/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 890
Nature of Suit: Other Statutory Actions
Cause of Action: Civil Miscellaneous Case

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WO

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

In re Tajudeen O. Oladiran. )

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No. MC-10-0025-PHX-DGC

ORDER

The charges of unethical conduct against Respondent Tajudeen Oladiran are set forth

in the Order to Show Cause issued by Judge Murray Snow on February 26, 2010 (the

“OSC”). Oladiran v. Suntrust Mortgage, Inc., No. CV-09-01471-PHX-GMS, Doc. 78. The

Court held a case management conference with the parties on April 30, 2010. In re Oladiran,

No. MC-10-0025-PHX-DGC, Doc. 9. Assistant United States Attorney Peter Lantka

appeared as special prosecutor pursuant to the Court’s previous order. Doc. 4. Respondent

appeared on his own behalf. The Court and the parties discussed Respondent’s request for

discovery (Doc. 2) and the procedures to be followed in briefing and presenting evidence.

On May 3, 2010, the Court entered an order denying the request for discovery and

setting a briefing schedule. Doc. 10. The Court stated that upon receipt of the briefs it would

promptly schedule a hearing and specify whether evidence is to be presented or whether the

hearing will be limited to oral argument. Id. at 4-5. The OSC is now fully briefed. Doc. 17,

21. For reasons stated below, the Court finds that the hearing should be limited to oral

argument. The Court will set a one-hour hearing on the OSC for August 12, 2010 at

1:00 p.m.

Respondent claims that any unethical behavior on his part was caused by his medical

illness. Doc. 17 at 1-2. Respondent has submitted sealed copies of his medical records (Doc.

Case 2:10-cv-02020-DGC Document 28 Filed 07/15/10 Page 1 of 2
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14, 16), but does not wish to present additional evidence of his medical condition at the

hearing. The sole witness Respondent seeks to call at the hearing is attorney Kathleen

Weber. Doc. 17 at 34. He asserts that live testimony by Ms. Weber is his “only recourse to

remove the stigma associated with the false accusation that he threatened Ms. Weber with

physical harm.” Id. The special prosecutor notes, correctly, that testimony from Ms. Weber

concerning her recollection of receiving the alleged threatening statements is unnecessary.

Doc. 1 at 21 n.17. The Court made clear in its May 3, 2010 order that with respect to the

alleged threatening statements to the private attorneys, the Court will base its decision solely

on statements made by Respondent in emails sent to those attorneys which are quoted in the

OSC. Doc. 10 at 3 (specifying statements by page and line numbers of the OSC). Thus, the

question to be decided is whether Respondent’s statements to the private attorneys violated

applicable ethical rules. The answer to that question will turn not on Ms. Weber’s reaction

to the statements, but on the nature of the statements themselves.

In summary, the Court concludes that the hearing on the OSC charges should be

limited to oral argument.

IT IS ORDERED:

1. A hearing on the OSC charges is set for August 12, 2010 at 1:00 p.m..

2. The hearing will be limited to oral argument and will last no more than one

hour.

DATED this 14th day of July, 2010.

Case 2:10-cv-02020-DGC Document 28 Filed 07/15/10 Page 2 of 2