Opinion ID: 1925938
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: The conduct of unauthorized, frivolous or harassing litigation and retention of files.

Text: It was further alleged that respondent, on behalf of a Township Committee member, filed an unauthorized counterclaim against a citizen litigant; that he harassed Township officials by bringing a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action after the $110,000 verdict was entered; that he misused the legal process to avoid payment of the judgment by appealing a capias writ of arrest after a consent order was entered; that he otherwise violated conditions of his release following the capias arrest; that for the improper purpose of regaining his lost position as Township Attorney, he sued Township Committee members and then politicized the legal process by releasing the complaint to the press before it was filed; and that even after his representation of the Township was terminated, he refused to return the Township's legal files and records.