Ex-state senator banned from practicing law

Friday, Dec. 7, 2001 | 10:17 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court has suspended former state Sen. Lee Walker of North Las Vegas from practicing law for three years because of two felony convictions in Utah.

In October 1998 Walker, who was associated with two men involved in an investment scheme, was convicted on one count of securities fraud and one count of money laundering.

The Supreme Court said records show Walker did not have actual knowledge the investment was fraudulent, but that he allowed his trust account to be used in the transaction.

Walker also vouched for the credibility of one of the individuals, though he did not receive any money from the transaction. He was placed on probation for three years and ordered by the Utah court to pay $100,000 in restitution.

The Supreme Court said Walker was released from probation early, and his convictions were reduced by one degree, apparently to lesser degree felonies. An appeal is pending in Utah.

The Supreme Court said there was "clear and convincing evidence" to support the finding that Walker was guilty of committing criminal acts that reflect adversely on a lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness.

Walker will be required to present evidence of his criminal appeal in Utah at any future hearing in which he seeks reinstatement to practice law.

The court, however, said the penalty should start when Walker was temporarily suspended in April 1999. And the new suspension will end April 9, 2002.

Walker, a Democrat, served in the 1971, 1973 and 1975 Legislatures.

In another disciplinary case, the court ordered Las Vegas lawyer Patrick McDonald to serve a six-month suspension, though he will be able to practice when he is appointed by a court to represent criminal defendants.

The Southern Nevada Disciplinary Board of the Nevada Bar found McDonald failed to follow through in representing a client before a state agency. And McDonald failed to respond to the disciplinary board several times when the problem was brought to his attention.

The Supreme Court also issued a letter of public reprimand to Las Vegas attorney Keith Gregory, who was placed on probation for five years. He must complete six hours of legal education in ethics, send a letter of apology to his client and repay his former law firm $7,500.

Gregory was accused of taking a breach of contract case, but then failing to file the required documents. The law firm, which Gregory has left, paid $15,000 to the client to settle a malpractice claim.