Court Opinion

ID: 4427268
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-08-20 18:48:56.58417+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:43:24.138320
License: Public Domain

SUPREME COURT OF MISSOURI
                                         en banc
In re: AMBRY NICHOLE SCHUESSLER,                   )
                                                   )       No. SC97376
                      Respondent.                  )

consolidated with                                          Opinion issued August 13, 2019

In re: KATHERINE ANNE DIERDORF,                    )
                                                   )       No. SC97377
                      Respondent.                  )

                       ORIGINAL DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDING

       The Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel (OCDC) seeks to discipline the law

licenses of Ambry Nichole Schuessler and Katherine Anne Dierdorf for multiple violations

of the rules of professional conduct in relation to their dishonesty about and concealment

of a brutal assault of a suspect in custody by a police detective and the charges resulting

therefrom filed by their friend and co-assistant circuit attorney. At the time of the incidents,

Ms. Schuessler and Ms. Dierdorf were serving as assistant circuit attorneys with the office

of the circuit attorney of the city of St. Louis (OCA).

       The preponderance of the evidence proves Ms. Dierdorf violated Rules 4-1.13,

4-8.4(c), and 4-8.4(d) by failing to disclose information regarding the co-assistant circuit

attorney’s knowledge of and conduct following the police detective’s assault of the suspect

in custody. The preponderance of the evidence further establishes Ms. Schuessler violated
Rule 4-8.4(g) by making a racist and homophobic comment about the suspect’s assault and

Rules 4-8.4(c) and 4-8.4(d) by failing to disclose her knowledge of the assault by the police

detective and her repeated dishonesty during the investigation and prosecution of the police

detective.

       This Court finds the severity of Ms. Dierdorf’s misconduct as a result of her

dishonesty and instruction of others to conceal information about the incident justifies the

imposition of an indefinite suspension with no leave to apply for reinstatement for three

years. Similarly, Ms. Schuessler’s repeated dishonesty during and interference with the

federal prosecution of the police detective justify the imposition of an indefinite suspension

with no leave to apply for reinstatement for two years.

                             Factual and Procedural History

       In 2011, Ms. Dierdorf became licensed to practice law in Missouri. In February

2014, Ms. Dierdorf accepted a position as an assistant circuit attorney with OCA.

Ms. Dierdorf was assigned to the misdemeanor division and was supervised by Philippa

Barrett.

       In 2013, Ms. Schuessler became licensed to practice law in Missouri and began

working as an assistant circuit attorney with OCA. She was assigned to the misdemeanor

division and was supervised by Ms. Barrett.

       While working at OCA, Ms. Dierdorf and Ms. Schuessler became good friends with

Bliss Worrell and Lauren Collins, who were also assistant circuit attorneys in the

misdemeanor division, and a summer intern, Jane Doe. The group socialized outside the

                                              2
office and texted frequently. The following events led to the disciplinary proceedings

against Ms. Dierdorf and Ms. Schuessler.

                                      Tuesday Night

       On Tuesday, July 22, 2014, Ms. Dierdorf, Ms. Worrell, and Ms. Doe went to a

St. Louis Cardinals baseball game. While there, Ms. Worrell received a telephone call

from a detective with the St. Louis police department, Thomas “Tom” Carroll. Ms. Worrell

and Det. Carroll had a close, personal relationship.       They talked frequently on the

telephone, socialized outside of work, and were training together for a marathon. Det.

Carroll called because his daughter’s vehicle had been broken into and her credit card

stolen. Later that night, a suspect was apprehended with the daughter’s credit card.

                                        Wednesday

       On the morning of July 23, 2014, Ms. Dierdorf was in her office with Ms. Doe.

Ms. Worrell entered the office and stated, “Tom beat up that guy” who stole his daughter’s

credit card. Ms. Worrell left Ms. Dierdorf’s office soon thereafter, but the following group

text message later occurred between the three women:

       Ms. Worrell:         Hah. I realized we shouldn’t be talking about [T]om
                            beating someone up in front of [another coworker.] 1
                            That behavior is not on her “true public servant” list

       Ms. Doe:             I think she’s too dense to realize what we are talking
                            about

       Ms. Worrell:         That’s probably true

       Ms. Dierdorf:        Yeah she has no clue

1
 This coworker had recently joined OCA and shared an office with Ms. Dierdorf. She was
nearby at the time Ms. Worrell disclosed Det. Carroll beat up the suspect.
                                             3
Ms. Dierdorf did not report to her supervisors Det. Carroll’s assault of the suspect

immediately following Ms. Worrell’s disclosure of it.

       Later that morning, Ms. Dierdorf was in Ms. Schuessler’s office. Ms. Worrell

walked into the office talking on her cell phone with Det. Carroll. She put the cell phone

on Ms. Schuessler’s desk and said, “Tom, tell them what you told me.” Ms. Dierdorf then

left the office.

       On speakerphone, Det. Carroll proceeded to describe how he beat up the suspect

who stole his daughter’s credit card. He explained that he punched the suspect in the face

and kicked the suspect while he was in a holding cell. He further stated he hit the suspect

in the back with a chair and stuck a gun in the suspect’s mouth. Ms. Schuessler then made

the comment, “I bet that’s not the first big, black thing he’s had in his mouth.” Det. Carroll

and Ms. Worrell laughed. After the conversation ended, Ms. Schuessler did not report

Det. Carroll’s assault of the suspect to her supervisors.

       That afternoon, Ms. Worrell went to the warrant office even though she was not

assigned to the warrant office that day. She issued charges against the suspect Det. Carroll

assaulted, including a felony charge for fleeing custody.

                                          Thursday

       On the morning of July 24, 2014, Ms. Dierdorf was, again, in her office with

Ms. Doe. Ms. Worrell entered the office and told them she had issued the case against the

suspect Det. Carroll beat up for stealing his daughter’s credit card. The group also

discussed some details of the assault before Ms. Worrell left the office.

                                              4
       Ms. Dierdorf then went to Ms. Schuessler’s office. Ms. Collins was also in

Ms. Schuessler’s office. Ms. Dierdorf came in and said, “Bliss really messed up.” She

then told Ms. Schuessler and Ms. Collins that Ms. Worrell went to the warrant office to

intercept the warrant application for the suspect beat up by Det. Carroll. She further stated

the suspect was falsely charged with fleeing custody to explain why the suspect was

injured. In response, Ms. Schuessler stated, “We could get in trouble just for knowing

this.” Ms. Dierdorf responded, “How would they find out. I’m not going to say anything.”

       After Ms. Dierdorf left the office, Ms. Collins and Ms. Schuessler checked the OCA

database to see if the suspect had been charged. Their check revealed the suspect had been

charged with a felony for fleeing custody. Ms. Schuessler expressed concern that an

innocent man could go to jail for a crime he did not commit. Ms. Schuessler was hesitant

to report Ms. Worrell’s conduct because Ms. Schuessler and Ms. Dierdorf were roommates.

But when Ms. Collins indicated she was going to report the incident to their supervisor,

Ms. Barrett, Ms. Schuessler went with her to Ms. Barrett’s office. Ms. Collins informed

Ms. Barrett that she believed Ms. Worrell had filed false charges against a suspect whom

Det. Carroll had assaulted while in custody.

       Ms. Dierdorf was then called to discuss the matter with her supervisors –

Ms. Barrett, Ed Postawko, chief warrant officer, and Beth Orwick, chief trial assistant. She

disclosed that she had learned something about Det. Carroll roughing up a suspect who

stole something from his daughter and that Ms. Worrell had issued charges. She was

adamant she had told no one else what she knew about the assault. She did not disclose

                                               5
that Ms. Worrell had told her about the assault directly or that she had learned about the

assault prior to Ms. Worrell issuing charges against the suspect on Wednesday.

       Ms. Dierdorf then went to a courtroom where Ms. Schuessler was also present.

Ms. Dierdorf said to her, “I told them I don’t know anything. You don’t tell them you

know anything either.”      Ms. Schuessler perceived Ms. Dierdorf’s statement as an

instruction not to tell the supervisors anything.

       Ms. Schuessler was then called to interview with Mr. Postawko and Ms. Orwick.

She told them she had overheard a conversation between Ms. Worrell and Det. Carroll

about the assault. She also said Ms. Dierdorf told her Ms. Worrell had issued false charges

against the suspect to cover up the assault. She did not disclose that she had heard

Det. Carroll describe the assault on speakerphone or that Det. Carroll used a gun during

the incident.

       That evening, Ms. Dierdorf drove Ms. Worrell home. During the drive, Ms. Worrell

spoke with Det. Carroll on a cell phone about how people found out about the assault and

the charges. After Ms. Dierdorf dropped off Ms. Worrell, Ms. Dierdorf and Ms. Doe

exchanged text messages. During the text conversation, Ms. Doe asked, “If they determine

Bliss knew it was a false police report can any charges be brought against bliss/the cops. I

hope she understands if we distance ourselves.” Ms. Dierdorf responded, “Yes they can.”

                                           Friday

       On July 25, 2014, the internal affairs division (IAD) of the St. Louis police

department became involved in the matter. That morning, IAD interviewed Ms. Schuessler

                                              6
and Ms. Dierdorf separately. Ms. Barrett, Ms. Orwick, and Mr. Postawko were also present

during the IAD interviews.

       Ms. Schuessler explained to IAD that she had learned a charge of resisting arrest or

fleeing custody had been brought against the suspect Det. Carroll assaulted. When asked

how she found out about the charge or why she believed the charge was false, she said

Ms. Dierdorf had told her about it Thursday morning after learning Ms. Worrell issued the

case. IAD also asked Ms. Schuessler to explain how she knew Det. Carroll “beat the crap

out of” the suspect. She told IAD Ms. Worrell had been in her office talking to Det. Carroll

on the telephone. She did not tell IAD the conversation was on speakerphone. Instead,

she said she could hear only Ms. Worrell’s portion of the conversation and gleaned

information about the assault from it.

       Ms. Dierdorf was also interviewed by IAD that morning. Ms. Barrett began

Ms. Dierdorf’s interview by asking, “Is there anything more that you want to add to

[yesterday’s] conversation about your knowledge of the situation we talked about?”

Ms. Dierdorf stated, “Not that I can think of . . . but I [don’t] know any more that I didn’t

say yesterday.” Ms. Barrett then expressly asked Ms. Dierdorf whether she had shared

information with anyone. Ms. Dierdorf stated, besides Ms. Doe being in the room when

Ms. Worrell told her about issuing the case, she “hadn’t spoken with anybody about it.”

She admitted to knowing about Det. Carroll assaulting the suspect but stated she did not

learn about it until Ms. Worrell told her in her office Thursday morning. She stated she

did not question Ms. Worrell further about the charges or the assault because she “had to

run upstairs for a plea.” She also did not tell IAD about the telephone conversation between

                                             7
Ms. Worrell and Det. Carroll Thursday evening when she drove Ms. Worrell home.

Ms. Dierdorf was subsequently sent home from work that afternoon.

       Over the weekend, Ms. Dierdorf called Ms. Barrett and left a voice message. She

said she wished she had been more forthcoming and wanted to talk. On the following

Monday, July 28, 2014, Ms. Dierdorf was informed she could either resign or be

terminated. She chose to resign from OCA. Ms. Schuessler was not terminated or asked

to resign.

                                   The FBI Investigation

       After Ms. Dierdorf resigned, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the

United States attorney’s office were brought into the investigation. On August 11, 2014,

the FBI interviewed Ms. Dierdorf. Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Harold “Hal”

Goldsmith was present for the interview.

       Ms. Dierdorf told the FBI about the assault but stated she did not learn about it until

Thursday morning when Ms. Worrell came into her office and told her about issuing the

case. She also told the FBI about driving Ms. Worrell home and Ms. Worrell’s telephone

conversation on the ride home with Det. Carroll. She stated, however, that Ms. Worrell

and Det. Carroll had not discussed the assault. 2

2
  In her brief, Ms. Dierdorf disputes whether she lied during the FBI interviews. In doing
so, she relies on testimony from her former attorney, Jeffrey Jensen, who is currently the
United States attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri and was present during the FBI
interviews. Mr. Jensen gave general testimony that he was unaware “of any information
that Miss Dierdorf intentionally withheld from the FBI and Mr. Goldsmith during [the FBI]
interview on August 11.” He further stated that any “misstatement” by Ms. Dierdorf was
not material. Such general testimony is inconsistent with Mr. Goldsmith’s specific
testimony that Ms. Dierdorf was dishonest as to when she found out about the assault and

                                              8
       It was not until her second interview with the FBI on September 9, 2014, that

Ms. Dierdorf admitted she knew about the assault on Wednesday morning following her

discussion with Ms. Worrell and Ms. Doe in her office. She also admitted to describing

the assault to Ms. Schuessler and Ms. Collins on Thursday. She further admitted she had

lied to her supervisors about when she learned about the assault. Finally, she told the FBI

that the telephone conversation between Ms. Worrell and Det. Carroll on Thursday night

was about the assault and the investigation.

       On August 13, 2014, the FBI conducted its first interview with Ms. Schuessler. She

told them Det. Carroll used a gun during the assault, but she attributed the racist and

homophobic comment she made about the gun being in the suspect’s mouth to Det. Carroll.

She also did not tell the FBI the telephone was on speaker when Det. Carroll described

assaulting the suspect. Following the interview, the FBI learned it was Ms. Schuessler who

made the racist and homophobic comment.

       On September 4, 2014, the FBI conducted its second interview with Ms. Schuessler.

She admitted she heard Det. Carroll describe the assault on speakerphone. Additionally,

when confronted, she admitted that she, not Det. Carroll, had made the racist and

homophobic comment about the suspect having the gun in his mouth.

                  Federal Prosecution of Det. Carroll and Ms. Worrell

       Det. Carroll and Ms. Worrell were subsequently indicted on federal criminal

charges. Both Ms. Dierdorf and Ms. Schuessler testified during the grand jury proceedings.

what Ms. Worrell discussed with Det. Carroll over the telephone. Ms. Dierdorf admitted
to lying about such information in her second interview with the FBI.
                                               9
       Det. Carroll pleaded guilty to deprivation of rights under color of state law, 18

U.S.C. § 242. At his sentencing hearing, Det. Carroll disputed he used a gun during the

assault of the suspect. Ms. Schuessler was called to testify. During her testimony,

Ms. Schuessler was impeached because of her prior inconsistent statements to her

supervisors, IAD, and the FBI. The sentencing judge determined Det. Carroll used a gun

during the assault and enhanced Det. Carroll’s sentence to 52 months in prison.

       Ms. Worrell pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony, 18 U.S.C. § 4. She was

sentenced to 18 months of probation. She was later disbarred by this Court.

                                  Disciplinary Proceedings

       On May 30, 2017, OCDC filed an information against Ms. Dierdorf and

Ms. Schuessler. The information alleged Ms. Dierdorf violated Rule 4-1.13 by failing to

disclose to her supervisors the potentially illegal conduct of Det. Carroll’s assault and

Ms. Worrell’s involvement in filing charges against the suspect. The information also

charged Ms. Dierdorf with violating Rules 4-1.13 and 4-8.4(c) by lying and failing to

disclose relevant and important information to her supervisors, IAD, and the FBI regarding

her knowledge of Det. Carroll’s assault and Ms. Worrell’s involvement in issuing charges

and by instructing Ms. Schuessler not to cooperate with the OCA investigation. The

information further alleged Ms. Dierdorf violated Rule 4-8.4(d) by engaging in conduct

prejudicial to the administration of justice.

       As to Ms. Schuessler, the information charged her with violating Rule 4-8.4(c) by:

(1) failing to disclose information and lying to her supervisors, IAD, and the FBI regarding

her knowledge of the assault by Det. Carroll; (2) making a racist and homophobic slur in

                                                10
response to a report of possible illegal police conduct; and (3) falsely attributing the racist

and homophobic slur to Det. Carroll during her FBI interview. OCDC also alleged

Ms. Schuessler violated Rule 4-8.4(d) by engaging in conduct prejudicial to the

administration of justice.

       Ms. Dierdorf and Ms. Schuessler denied the allegations against them. A disciplinary

hearing panel (DHP) conducted a hearing on the matter. At the hearing, AUSA Goldsmith

testified Ms. Dierdorf was dishonest in her first interview with the FBI about when she

learned about the assault from Ms. Worrell. He further testified her dishonesty hampered

the investigation because she was an essential witness due to her proximity to the situation.

       AUSA Goldsmith further testified Ms. Schuessler lied during her first interview

with the FBI by attributing her racist and homophobic comment about the gun to

Det. Carroll. He also testified Ms. Schuessler lied during the first FBI interview by failing

to disclose that she heard the details of the assault from Det. Carroll while he was on

speakerphone. He further testified Ms. Schuessler’s dishonesty harmed the investigation

and subjected her to impeachment during Det. Carroll’s sentencing hearing.

       The DHP determined Ms. Dierdorf violated Rule 4-8.4(c) by failing to disclose

information to the FBI. It recommended a reprimand without conditions pursuant to Rule

5.16(d)(1). In doing so, the DHP found mitigating factors, including Ms. Dierdorf’s lack

of disciplinary history, her remorsefulness, and her continuing to practice law

appropriately.

       The DHP determined Ms. Schuessler was guilty of professional misconduct for

violating Rule 4-8.4(c) by failing to fully disclose information to her supervisors and the

                                              11
FBI regarding her knowledge of Det. Carroll’s involvement in the assault. The DHP found

her comment regarding Det. Carroll putting his gun in the suspect’s mouth to be distasteful

but not, in itself, a violation of Rule 4-8.4(g). The DHP further concluded Ms. Schuessler

was a whistleblower because she reported the misconduct and, therefore, was not guilty of

professional misconduct under Rule 4-8.4(d). The DHP recommended Ms. Schuessler

receive a public reprimand pursuant to Rule 5.16(d)(1).             The DHP also found

Ms. Schuessler’s misstatements did not materially affect the outcome of the criminal

prosecutions against Det. Carroll and Ms. Worrell. Finally, the DHP found mitigating

factors, including her lack of disciplinary history and her remorsefulness.

       Ms. Dierdorf and Ms. Schuessler accepted the DHP’s recommendation. OCDC,

however, rejected the DHP’s recommendation. Accordingly, this Court must determine

whether the alleged violations occurred and, if so, the appropriate discipline. Rule 5.19(d)-

(e). The two cases are consolidated for purposes of this opinion.

                                   Standard of Review

       Before this Court can impose discipline, “[p]rofessional misconduct must be

proven by a preponderance of the evidence.” In re Farris, 472 S.W.3d 549, 557 (Mo. banc

2015). “The DHP’s findings of fact and conclusions of law are advisory.” In re Krigel,

480 S.W.3d 294, 299 (Mo. banc 2016). In disciplinary proceedings, this Court “reviews

the evidence de novo, independently determining all issues pertaining to credibility of

witnesses and the weight of the evidence, and draws its own conclusions of law.” In re

Snyder, 35 S.W.3d 380, 382 (Mo. banc 2000).

                                             12
                                  Ms. Dierdorf’s Conduct

                                         Rule 4-1.13

       OCDC asserts Ms. Dierdorf should be disciplined because she violated Rule 4-1.13

by failing to report Ms. Worrell’s misconduct. Rule 4-1.13(b) provides in relevant part:

       If a lawyer for an organization knows that an officer, employee, or other
       person associated with the organization is engaged in action, intends to act,
       or refuses to act in a matter related to the representation that is a violation of
       a legal obligation to the organization, or a violation of law which reasonably
       might be imputed to the organization, and is likely to result in substantial
       injury to the organization, the lawyer shall proceed as is reasonably necessary
       in the best interest of the organization.

This rule applies to government agencies. Rule 4-1.13, cmt. [6].

       Here, Ms. Dierdorf – a lawyer for OCA – knew another assistant circuit attorney –

Ms. Worrell – had violated the law by filing false charges against a suspect to cover up a

police officer’s brutal assault of the suspect. The failure to report such conduct was a

violation of Ms. Dierdorf’s legal obligation to the circuit attorney’s organization and could

have resulted in a civil rights violation or lawsuit against OCA. Accordingly, it was

reasonably necessary in the best interest of OCA that Ms. Dierdorf report Ms. Worrell’s

conduct. 3

       Instead, Ms. Dierdorf chose to conceal her knowledge of Det. Carroll’s misconduct

and Ms. Worrell’s filing of a false charge by lying to her supervisors, IAD, and the FBI.

3
  Throughout her brief, Ms. Dierdorf contends she never knew the charges were falsified
at the time Ms. Worrell filed them. In support of this assertion, she relies on the fact that
Ms. Worrell has always disputed whether she filed a false charge. The record shows that,
at the time she spoke with Ms. Collins and Ms. Schuessler on Thursday, Ms. Dierdorf knew
the charge of felony fleeing custody was false and filed to cover up Det. Carroll’s assault
of the suspect in custody.
                                              13
Ms. Dierdorf’s statements to her supervisors and IAD gave the impression that both she

and Ms. Worrell did not know about the assault until after charges were filed against the

suspect.   She further instructed another attorney, Ms. Schuessler, not to give any

information to her supervisors. Ms. Dierdorf then lied again during her first FBI interview

regarding when she initially learned about the assault carried out by Det. Carroll. It was

not until her second FBI interview – over a month after the incidents occurred – that

Ms. Dierdorf finally admitted Ms. Worrell had told her about the assault on Wednesday

prior to the filing of the charges.

       As AUSA Goldsmith testified, Ms. Dierdorf “time shifted” to protect both herself

and Ms. Worrell by making it appear they did not know about the assault until after Ms.

Worrell filed charges. Furthermore, Ms. Dierdorf’s lies and omissions interfered with

and prolonged the FBI’s investigation of Ms. Worrell. The record, therefore, reflects,

by a preponderance of the evidence, that Ms. Dierdorf violated Rule 4-1.13 when she

failed to report Ms. Worrell’s misconduct.

                                      Rule 4-8.4(c), (d)

       OCDC further asserts Ms. Dierdorf violated Rules 4-8.4(c) and 4-8.4(d) by

repeatedly lying to federal and state investigators and instructing Ms. Schuessler to lie to

her supervisors about the assault and Ms. Worrell’s misconduct. Rule 4-8.4(c) provides:

“It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to . . . engage in conduct involving dishonesty,

fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.” Rule 4-8.4(d) provides: “It is professional misconduct

for a lawyer to . . . engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.”

                                              14
       Ms. Dierdorf exhibited a pattern of dishonesty over the course of the criminal

investigations of Det. Carroll and Ms. Worrell. She admitted during her second FBI

interview that she lied to her supervisors and IAD regarding when she discovered the

assault occurred. Additionally, for over a month, she concealed from her supervisors, IAD,

and the FBI that Ms. Worrell knew Wednesday morning, prior to the filing of the charges,

not only that Det. Carroll assaulted the suspect but also the details of the severity of the

assault.   She further attempted to conceal her own knowledge of the assault and

Ms. Worrell’s filing of a false charge by telling her supervisors she did not learn of the

assault until Thursday and had not discussed the matter with anyone at the office. She also

omitted facts regarding the Thursday evening telephone call between Ms. Worrell and Det.

Carroll about the investigation.     She even instructed Ms. Schuessler not to tell her

supervisors anything and implied to both Ms. Schuessler and Ms. Collins that, by not

saying anything, their knowledge of the incident prior to the charges being filed would not

be discovered.

       Ms. Dierdorf’s dishonesty, therefore, not only interfered with criminal

investigations but also concealed the professional misconduct of another attorney,

Ms. Worrell. It follows that Ms. Dierdorf’s dishonesty and deceitfulness were prejudicial

to the administration of justice. Accordingly, the record establishes, by a preponderance

of the evidence, that Ms. Dierdorf violated Rules 4-8.4(c) and 4-8.4(d).

                                   Appropriate Discipline

       In determining the appropriate discipline, “this Court considers the ethical duty

violated, the attorney’s mental state, the extent of actual or potential injury caused by the

                                             15
attorney's misconduct, and any aggravating or mitigating factors.” In re Ehler, 319 S.W.3d
442, 451 (Mo. banc 2010). When imposing discipline, this Court must be guided by the

principle that the purpose of attorney disciplinary proceedings “is not to punish the

attorney, but to protect the public and maintain the integrity of the legal profession.” In re

Gardner, 565 S.W.3d 670, 677 (Mo. banc 2019) (quoting In re Kazanas, 96 S.W.3d 803,

807-08 (Mo. banc 2003)). This Court also gleans guidance from the American Bar

Association Standards for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions (ABA Standards) and prior

disciplinary precedent. Id.

       ABA Standard 5.22 provides: “Suspension is generally appropriate when a lawyer

in an official or governmental position knowingly fails to follow proper procedures or

rules, and causes injury or potential injury to a party or to the integrity of the legal process.”

Furthermore, “[q]uestions of honesty go to the heart of fitness to practice law. Misconduct

involving subterfuge, failing to keep promises, and untrustworthiness undermine public

confidence in not only the individual but in the bar.” In re Disney, 922 S.W.2d 12, 15 (Mo.

banc 1996) (internal citation omitted).

       Ms. Dierdorf, in her capacity as an assistant circuit attorney, knowingly failed to

follow proper procedures when she discovered Det. Carroll’s assault of a suspect in custody

and Ms. Worrell’s attempt to conceal that assault by filing false charges. When her

supervisors discovered the incident, she lied to them to conceal both her and Ms. Worrell’s

misconduct in the matter. Such conduct undermines the public’s confidence in not only

OCA but also in Missouri prosecutors in general. Ms. Dierdorf’s active dishonesty and

                                               16
concealment in the matter, therefore, goes to her fitness to practice law and justifies a

suspension.

       Ms. Dierdorf argues a reprimand is appropriate because, while the case rests on the

serious misconduct of police brutality and potentially false charges, Ms. Dierdorf was not

the perpetrator of such misdeeds. She contends her misconduct is limited to two instances

in which she failed to make full disclosures. But Ms. Dierdorf downplays the severity of

her dishonesty over the course of the investigation into Ms. Worrell’s misconduct.

       A reprimand “is appropriate only where the attorney’s breach of discipline is an

isolated act and does not involve dishonest, fraudulent, or deceitful conduct on the part of

the attorney.” In re Littleton, 719 S.W.2d 772, 777 (Mo. banc 1986) (internal citation

omitted). As previously discussed, Ms. Dierdorf engaged in a pattern of dishonest conduct

by concealing when she and Ms. Worrell discovered Det. Carroll’s assault of the suspect.

Her dishonest behavior was not limited to a single incident but, rather, continued for weeks.

       Furthermore, Ms. Dierdorf committed such acts while serving in her capacity as an

assistant circuit attorney. This Court has recognized that “the responsibility of a public

prosecutor differs from that of the usual advocate.” State v. Harrington, 534 S.W.2d 44,

50 (Mo. banc 1976). A prosecutor “is not an advocate in the ordinary sense of the word,

but is the people’s representative, and [the prosecutor’s] primary duty is not to convict but

to see that justice is done.” Id. at 49. “The prosecutor is an officer of the state who should

have no private interest in the prosecution and who is charged with seeing that the criminal

laws of the state are honestly and impartially administered, unprejudiced by any motives

of private gain.” Id. A “prosecutor is under a duty to consider the public interest in the

                                             17
fair administration of criminal justice.” State ex rel. Norwood v. Drumm, 691 S.W.2d 238,

241 (Mo. banc 1985).

       These principles are reflected in the OCA personnel manual, which Ms. Dierdorf

signed and acknowledged she had read and understood. In pertinent part, the manual states

circuit attorneys assume “two paramount obligations: to serve the public interest; and to

perform public service with high personal integrity.”        The manual further instructs,

“Integrity requires . . . the fortitude to refuse to go along with something that you believe

is ethically wrong.” The manual further states that “[b]eing a good public servant means

knowing how to handle the demands of your work with character and discipline” and that

“[t]he true public servant . . . does not succumb to peer or other pressure” and “[r]efuses to

let official actions be influenced by personal relationships.”

       Ms. Dierdorf’s repeated dishonesty in her interviews with her supervisors and IAD

shows a pattern of protecting herself and her friends over the duties she assumed when she

became an assistant circuit attorney. Moreover, she encouraged other assistant circuit

attorneys to keep quiet about the matter in a further attempt to conceal both her and

Ms. Worrell’s misconduct. At the hearing, Ms. Dierdorf admitted she had no reason to be

dishonest during the interviews. She further stated she did not correct her misstatement to

her supervisors because she hoped she was not going to be further involved in the matter.

Her misconduct and subsequent inaction, therefore, clearly violate the standards to which

Missouri prosecutors and, in particular, St. Louis circuit attorneys are held.

       Ms. Dierdorf presents several mitigating factors, such as the absence of a prior

disciplinary record, cooperation with the disciplinary board and proceedings, and a good

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reputation in her current practice. But such mitigating circumstances do not outweigh the

severity of her dishonesty, her selfish motive, the multiple offenses, and the vulnerability

of the victim being assaulted.

       This Court has previously found a suspension is the appropriate discipline when an

attorney makes false and misleading statements to the FBI during a criminal investigation.

In re Zink, 278 S.W.3d 166, 169 (Mo. banc 2009). The attorney in Zink was suspended

indefinitely with no leave to reapply for six months. Id. at 170. Such discipline, however,

was imposed in light of the attorney’s voluntary abstention from the practice of law for one

year prior to the institution of the state disciplinary proceedings. Id. at 169.

       Ms. Dierdorf made false and misleading statements to her supervisors at OCA and

to law enforcement over the course of a criminal investigation. Importantly, her repeated

dishonesty occurred while she was an assistant circuit attorney. As previously discussed,

such attorneys are held to a higher standard given the nature of their work to protect the

public. Additionally, unlike Mr. Zink, Ms. Dierdorf has not abstained from the practice of

law. Accordingly, this Court concludes that an indefinite suspension with no leave to apply

for reinstatement for three years is the appropriate discipline.

                                 Ms. Schuessler’s Conduct

                                        Rule 4-8.4(c)

       OCDC asserts Ms. Schuessler violated Rule 4-8.4(c) by repeatedly lying to and

withholding information from criminal investigators about Det. Carroll’s assault of a

detained suspect, thereby prejudicing the prosecution of Det. Carroll. Ms. Schuessler’s

conduct following her discovery of the assault establishes a pattern of dishonest behavior.

                                              19
       Ms. Schuessler heard Det. Carroll describe, in detail, his assault of the suspect. Yet,

in her interview with her supervisors and IAD, she did not reveal the speakerphone

conversation. Instead, she told IAD she could hear only Ms. Worrell’s side of the

conversation. It was not until over a month later, in her first FBI interview, that she

admitted Det. Carroll was on speakerphone and she heard the details of the assault directly

from him, including that he put a gun in the suspect’s mouth. But even then, she chose to

lie by attributing her racist and homophobic comment to Det. Carroll. Again, such lies

went uncorrected for nearly a month until her second FBI interview. Ms. Schuessler,

therefore, engaged in dishonest and deceitful conduct in violation of Rule 4-8.4(c) during

the criminal investigation of Det. Carroll.

                                       Rule 4-8.4(g)

       OCDC further asserts Ms. Schuessler’s comment about the gun in the suspect’s

mouth was racist and homophobic, thereby violating Rule 4-8.4(g). Rule 4-8.4(g) provides

a lawyer engages in professional misconduct by “manifest[ing] by words or conduct, in

representing a client, bias or prejudice based upon race, sex, religion, national origin,

disability, age, or sexual orientation.”       “Whether a lawyer’s conduct constitutes

professional misconduct in violation of Rule 4-8.4(g) can be determined only by a review

of all of the circumstances.” Rule 4-8.4(g), cmt. [4].

       Ms. Schuessler contends the comment cannot constitute a Rule 4-8.4(g) violation

because it was not made in the context of “representing a client.” OCDC responds that, as

a prosecuting attorney, Ms. Schuessler is always representing the people of Missouri.

                                              20
       Ms. Schuessler was in her office at OCA, during working hours, when she made the

racist and homophobic comment. She was required, as an assistant circuit attorney, to act

in the best interest of OCA and the citizens of the city of St. Louis. A prosecutor is not

representing a client only when performing a specific act in a case. Ms. Schuessler’s

conduct, therefore, violated Rule 4-8.4(g). The violation was particularly egregious given

the circumstances in which the racist and homophobic comment was made.

                                       Rule 4-8.4(d)

       Finally, OCDC asserts Ms. Schuessler’s dishonesty during Det. Carroll’s criminal

investigation violates Rule 4-8.4(d). Again, Rule 4-8.4(d) provides: “It is professional

misconduct for a lawyer to . . . engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration

of justice.”

       As previously noted, Ms. Schuessler made repeated lies and omissions over the

course of the investigation into Det. Carroll’s assault on the suspect in custody. Her

repeated lies and omissions prolonged the criminal investigation of Det. Carroll. Her

dishonesty further posed a potential risk to the prosecution of Det. Carroll by opening

herself up to impeachment at the sentencing hearing. As a result, Ms. Schuessler engaged

in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice in violation of Rule 4-8.4(d).

                                  Appropriate Discipline

       Again, “this Court considers the ethical duty violated, the attorney’s mental state,

the extent of actual or potential injury caused by the attorney's misconduct, and any

aggravating or mitigating factors” when determining the appropriate attorney discipline.

Ehler, 319 S.W.3d at 451. This Court also looks to discipline it has imposed in similar

                                             21
cases and gleans guidance from the ABA Standards. Gardner, 565 S.W.3d at 677. ABA

Standard 5.22 provides: “Suspension is generally appropriate when a lawyer in an official

or governmental position knowingly fails to follow proper procedures or rules, and causes

injury or potential injury to a party or to the integrity of the legal process.”

       Ms. Schuessler, in her role as assistant circuit attorney, violated the public trust

when she learned, firsthand, about the assault of a suspect in custody by a police officer

and failed to report the incident. She made light of the assault and joined in demeaning the

victim by making a racist and homophobic slur about him. She then repeatedly lied about

her knowledge of the assault to her supervisors, IAD, and the FBI for more than a month

following the incident. Her dishonesty and failure to act interfered with and prolonged the

criminal investigation of Det. Carroll. When asked why she did not initially report the

assault after hearing Det. Carroll describe it, she stated she did not “want to be a part of it”

so she “sat on it.” She later indicated she was scared to report it because she was currently

living with Ms. Dierdorf and did not want to expose her friends.

       Ms. Schuessler contends that, at most, a reprimand is the appropriate discipline

because she has already endured four and a half years of chaos, despair, and fear resulting

from these incidents. But again, a reprimand is not appropriate given Ms. Schuessler’s

repeated dishonesty during the course of the Det. Carroll investigation. See Littleton, 719
S.W.2d at 777. Additionally, like Ms. Dierdorf, Ms. Schuessler was dishonest while

serving in the role of prosecutor. Her dishonesty and failure to uphold the duties outlined

for her as an assistant circuit attorney indicate a suspension is the appropriate discipline.

                                              22
       Ms. Schuessler’s misconduct exhibits some of the same aggravating factors as

Ms. Dierdorf’s, namely the pattern of dishonesty and multiple offenses. A mitigating

factor is that Ms. Schuessler accompanied Ms. Collins when Ms. Collins went to

Ms. Barrett’s office to report Ms. Worrell and Det. Carroll’s conduct. Additionally,

Ms. Schuessler has sought counseling of her own accord. These factors, in addition to her

lack of prior disciplinary history, cooperation throughout the course of the disciplinary

proceedings, and good reputation in her current practice lead this Court to find the

appropriate discipline is an indefinite suspension with no leave to apply for reinstatement

for two years.

                                       Conclusion

       This Court orders that Ms. Dierdorf be suspended indefinitely from the practice of

law with no leave to apply for reinstatement for a period of three years from the date the

mandate issues in this cause. This Court further orders that Ms. Schuessler be suspended

indefinitely from the practice of law with no leave to apply for reinstatement for a period

of two years from the date the mandate issues.

                                          ___________________________________
                                           PATRICIA BRECKENRIDGE, JUDGE

All concur.

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