Opinion ID: 1037770
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Disbarment of Thomas and Aubuchon

Text: A disciplinary panel of the Arizona State Bar investigated Thomas and Aubuchon related to the above incidents. The panel found “overwhelming” evidence that Defendants had abused their power and “spen[t] the public’s money for their cause célèbre.” Noting that the “harm” done by Thomas and Aubuchon “to the public, individuals, and the profession was 10 STAPLEY V. PESTALOZZI stunning on every front,” the panel ordered them disbarred. Aubuchon has appealed the ruling. With respect to the RICO complaint, the bar panel noted that Thomas and Aubuchon had filed suit despite numerous warnings from other MCAO attorneys and from outside counsel that the suit “would be a misuse of the law” and that “sanctions for a frivolous lawsuit would likely be imposed.” The panel determined that the complaint, in addition to being “unintelligible or nonsensical” in places, did not state facts sufficient to support any of its legal claims. The panel also found that Thomas and Aubuchon made no effort to gather evidence to support the suit, that they lacked authority under Arizona law to file the suit, and that the suit caused severe emotional damages to the RICO defendants.