Opinion ID: 2524356
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: reckless and false statements concerning a judicial candidate

Text: ¶ 58 In a letter opposing a candidate for Associate District Judge of Dewey County, Respondent questioned the candidate's ethics because the candidate had filed a campaign form after the deadline. Even though, the form had been filed after the deadline, it was filed only after receiving consent and approval from election officials. In the letter, Respondent also asserted that the candidate had terminal cancer. While it was true that the candidate had cancer, it was not true that the cancer was terminal. The letter was mailed to voters less than a week before the election. The OBA alleges that this conduct violates Rule 8.2(a) of the ORPC. ¶ 59 Rule 8.2(a) prohibits a lawyer from making a false statement about a judicial candidate with knowledge or with reckless disregard of the statement's truth. The record supports a finding that Respondent made false statements about the candidate's ethics and physical condition, and Respondent admits that he should have investigated the truth of the allegations before making the statements. This conduct violates Rule 8.2(a) of the ORPC.