Two impressive stories of dodgy solicitor-dom this week, one rather graphic and nasty, the other the usual fare of fraud, theft and imprisonment. Which means two new entries to the RollonFriday Dodgy Solicitor table - and two new cards for your Top Trumps collection.
On 14 February 2011, US lawyer Leonard Sawyer took a routine Continental Airlines flight from LA to Houston. In hindsight, alarm bells should have started ringing when Sawyer (who has a history of inappropriate buttock bad touch) refused to lower the armrest separating his seat from that of the woman next to him. During the flight, after bombarding his neighbour with personal questions, Sawyer raised his tray table to display, of all things, his erect genitalia. The victim, rapidly attempting to move seats, was asked by Sawyer if she'd like to "climb over him". Probably not, Leonard, even though it was Valentine's Day.
Sawyer was later observed coming out of the plane's bathroom with - guess what - his erect penis once again on display. When told by cabin crew that his behaviour was "inappropriate", Sawyer is alleged to have said "can't a guy have his fly undone?"
Sawyer pleaded guilty to two counts of lewd, indecent, or obscene acts, and will be sentenced at the end of August. He faces a maximum fine of $10,000, up to 180 days in jail, and is probably banned from Continental Airlines. And it's likely he won't be an active member of the California Bar much longer, either. Even if his member remains active.
In the UK, Andy Hodges, former CEO of two midlands firms was sentenced to 18 months inside last week for stealing almost £75,000. Whilst his crime doesn't exactly hit the heights required to challenge the top boys (and girl) in the annals of legal villainy, the alleged source of his criminal proceeds is impressively appalling.
Hodges was chief exec of Nottingham firm Fraser Brown until 2007. However between 2001 and 2005 he stole over £68,000. Sources have alleged that the cash came from a trust fund for an injured child, and that the crime was only discovered when the victim reached adulthood, and found his fund had been emptied. Meanwhile Hodges had become CEO of Birmingham-headquartered Challinors, and stole another £6,000 while he was there. It seems Hodges just can't resist a good cause as sources claim the money was taken from a charity donation made by the firm. Neither Fraser Brown nor Challinors responded to requests for comment.
Both Sawyer and Hodges are new entrants in RollOnFriday's exclusive table of legal shame. Well done to them.
If you've spotted a dodgy lawyer, please send in the details using this anonymous form.
Tip Off ROF
On 14 February 2011, US lawyer Leonard Sawyer took a routine Continental Airlines flight from LA to Houston. In hindsight, alarm bells should have started ringing when Sawyer (who has a history of inappropriate buttock bad touch) refused to lower the armrest separating his seat from that of the woman next to him. During the flight, after bombarding his neighbour with personal questions, Sawyer raised his tray table to display, of all things, his erect genitalia. The victim, rapidly attempting to move seats, was asked by Sawyer if she'd like to "climb over him". Probably not, Leonard, even though it was Valentine's Day.
Sawyer was later observed coming out of the plane's bathroom with - guess what - his erect penis once again on display. When told by cabin crew that his behaviour was "inappropriate", Sawyer is alleged to have said "can't a guy have his fly undone?"
Sawyer pleaded guilty to two counts of lewd, indecent, or obscene acts, and will be sentenced at the end of August. He faces a maximum fine of $10,000, up to 180 days in jail, and is probably banned from Continental Airlines. And it's likely he won't be an active member of the California Bar much longer, either. Even if his member remains active.
In the UK, Andy Hodges, former CEO of two midlands firms was sentenced to 18 months inside last week for stealing almost £75,000. Whilst his crime doesn't exactly hit the heights required to challenge the top boys (and girl) in the annals of legal villainy, the alleged source of his criminal proceeds is impressively appalling.
Hodges was chief exec of Nottingham firm Fraser Brown until 2007. However between 2001 and 2005 he stole over £68,000. Sources have alleged that the cash came from a trust fund for an injured child, and that the crime was only discovered when the victim reached adulthood, and found his fund had been emptied. Meanwhile Hodges had become CEO of Birmingham-headquartered Challinors, and stole another £6,000 while he was there. It seems Hodges just can't resist a good cause as sources claim the money was taken from a charity donation made by the firm. Neither Fraser Brown nor Challinors responded to requests for comment.
Both Sawyer and Hodges are new entrants in RollOnFriday's exclusive table of legal shame. Well done to them.
Name |
Jurisdiction |
Crime |
Sentence |
---|---|---|---|
Matthew Kluger, ex Skadden |
USA | Insider trading |
12 years |
Martin Weisberg, ex Bakers |
USA | $3m money laundering, securities fraud |
expected 8 years |
Kevin Steele, ex Mishcon |
England | £18.4m conspiracy |
5 1/2 years |
Louise Martini, ex Williamson & Soden |
England | Theft of £1.7m |
5 years |
David O'Shea, ex O'Donovan |
Ireland | Theft of €779,000 |
4 years |
Kenneth Hunt, ex Hunt Kidd |
England | Theft of £1m |
4 years |
Christopher Grierson, ex Lovells |
England | Theft of £1.3m |
3 years |
Barbara Gayton, ex Hunt Kidd |
England | Theft of £1m |
2 years |
NEW Andy Hodges, ex Fraser Brown/Challinors |
England | Theft of £70,000 |
18 months |
Emma Rowsell, ex CC |
England | Theft of £63,000 |
18 months |
Richard Simkin, ex Fulbright |
England | Theft of £100,000 |
16 months |
Judie Groom, ex CC |
England | Theft of £23,000 |
15 months |
NEW Leonard Sawyer |
USA | Lewd acts |
expected 180 days |
Partner who ran a red light, Hogan Lovells |
Dubai | Running a red light |
20 days |
Pissed trainee, Freshfields |
Dubai | Being pissed |
2 days |
If you've spotted a dodgy lawyer, please send in the details using this anonymous form.
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Still deserves his place though.
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