Lawyer suspended after lewd act is caught on courthouse camera

Courthouse deputies were watching the whole time

Lawyer suspended after lewd act is caught on courthouse camera

A lawyer in the US has been suspended after he was caught on courthouse camera in a lewd act with a client.

Brian W. Benbow was suspended by the Ohio Supreme Court for two years, with one year stayed, for violating professional conduct rules for lawyers.

Benbow had admitted to misrepresenting the nature of his relationship with his former client. Before the incident in December 2014 at the Coshocton County Courthouse, the two had already exchanged texts and photos of a sexual nature.

Most Read

The suspended lawyer also admitted to misrepresenting the nature of the incident, when he accompanied the former client for a child-visitation matter at the courthouse.

While inside a camera-equipped conference room waiting for a magistrate to complete orders, Benbow placed his files and coat over his lap. Together, they placed the woman’s hand under his coat and she fondled Benbow for eight minutes, only stopping when Benbow received a phone call.

The two-year suspension is needed “because Benbow not only engaged in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a client but also engaged in a course of dishonest conduct involving multiple false denials and lies under oath,” the state supreme court said.

 

Related stories:
Outlaw US lawyer in US$550m con caught
Fugitive lawyer teases prosecutor on Twitter

Recent articles & video

US law firm settles copyright lawsuit over alleged court filing plagiarism

Employment rates for law graduates reach decade high: American Bar Association

US senate approves reauthorization of surveillance program amidst privacy concerns

French skincare giant L'Occitane wins legal battle in the US against mass arbitration claims

Thomson Geer confirms role in Bruce Lehrmann defamation suit

New partners join PCL Lawyers in Sydney

Most Read Articles

Top young stars of Australia's legal profession for 2024 unveiled

Promotions round beefs up Clyde & Co's Australia partnership

Allens welcomes five new partners

Tech and IP stars join up with Allen & Overy