Opinion ID: 1379246
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Arthur H. Wilder, Jr. Matter

Text: Arthur H. Wilder, Jr., the Solicitor for the Third Judicial Circuit, was prosecuting Dean McElveen for rape, kidnapping, and buggery, in a case where the alleged victim was McElveen's former wife, Robin McElveen. Attorney John Miles represented Dean McElveen. Mr. McElveen had brought contempt charges against Mrs. McElveen in the family court. She was found in contempt and sentenced to pay $500 or serve ninety days in jail. Respondent telephoned Mr. Miles and told Mr. Miles that he was representing Mrs. McElveen. Respondent stated that the criminal charges against Mr. McElveen would be dropped in exchange for Mr. McElveen dropping the family court contempt charges and paying Mrs. McElveen $10,000 in cash. Mr. Miles requested this demand in writing. When he did not receive anything in writing, Mr. Miles eventually went to Respondent's office and asked if he could prepare an affidavit memorializing their telephone conversation. Respondent agreed and he and Mr. Miles both signed the resulting affidavit, which attested to the content of the telephone conversation described above, and notarized each other's signatures. At the subsequent family court hearing, Mrs. McElveen appeared represented by an attorney other than Respondent. She testified at the hearing that Respondent was not her lawyer, she did not want money, and she never authorized Respondent to call Mr. Miles. Respondent failed to respond to the subsequent inquiries and investigation by the Commission on Lawyer Conduct.