Opinion ID: 2558572
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Respondent's Outside Employment

Text: 36. In July 2001, approximately eight months after she was hired as a full-time employee of OHR, Respondent reported to the D.C. Bar that she was affiliated with the law firm Ramson & Asher. BX 52 at 3. Before that, Respondent had been engaged in the private practice of law, including filing pleadings and appearing in court on behalf of clients. See BX 31; BX 31A; BX 32 and 32A; BX 55. 37. In 2001 and throughout 2002, Respondent also maintained a business address for her law practice3540 Crain Highway., Bowie, Maryland. It was this address, not Respondent's home address at Arabella Court in Upper Marlboro, that she listed on pleadings that she filed as counsel in 2001 and 2002, while a full-time OHR employee. See BX 31; BX 32; BX 32A. 38. As an OHR supervisor, Respondent was required to complete a Confidential Statement of Employment and Financial Interests form (Form 35) on an annual basis that Mr. Holman reviewed. Respondent never disclosed on the form or to Mr. Holman that she was engaged in the private practice of law. BX 54; Tr. at 145-47, 226-28. 39. Sometime in 2002, Mr. Holman learned that Respondent was listed by the D.C. Bar as being associated with Ramson & Asher. Tr. at 144-45, 218-21, 228, 245-46. In or around May 2002, Linda Ogeltree, Mr. Holman's assistant, called that law firm; the person answering said that Respondent worked there but was not there presently. Tr. at 144-45, 219. On May 14, 2002, Mr. Holman called OIG's hotline and reported Respondent's affiliation with Ramson & Asher and his concern that Respondent was engaged in the private practice of law while employed at OHR. Tr. at 140, 144-45, 228, 246, 781-83, 789, 845-46; RX 1(a) and RX 1(b). 40. Mr. Holman's OIG complaint against Respondent was assigned to Mr. Slay to investigate. Tr. at 783. When Mr. Slay contacted Ramson & Asher in January 2003, Ms. Ramson advised him that Respondent had not been employed by the firm for a number of years. Tr. at 784-85, 78-90. Shortly thereafter, OIG closed its investigation. Tr. at 785, 843.