Blow Whistle -> Get punished
I know there are a lot of other issues involved with Cicero releasing info and client confidentiality but, still... The board is saying he should have his license suspended for 6 months - hopefully he learns the Herbie lesson and realize that if you in any way condone anything negative about Central Akron State you will be punished/harrased.
February 15th, 2012 at 11:31 AM ^
He contacted Tressel, not the NCAA.
February 15th, 2012 at 11:33 AM ^
For the record, he didn't "blow the whistle," but privately told Warden Tressel that his players were in the middle of some deep shit, and that he should "take care of it" so they wouldn't get in trouble.
February 15th, 2012 at 11:35 AM ^
I'll get on it ASAP!!
February 15th, 2012 at 12:18 PM ^
HAPPY EASTER!!!
February 15th, 2012 at 11:38 AM ^
he deserves it. You can't leak client confidential information. I have a high level of confidence that the bar disciplinary committee acted based solely on his ethical violation and the fact it involved Tatgate had no influence on the recommendation one way or the other.
That said, it is ironic that Tressel walks away with a big check, makes a ton of money selling his house, gets hired first by the Colts and now by Akron U., and this schmuck has to sit out six months without any income.
February 15th, 2012 at 11:54 AM ^
given that this is his second or third time before the disciplinary committee. In the 90s, Cicero got a year's suspension for telling clients he was sleeping with the judge hearing their cases or something along those lines. Then there was the time he punched a client during a trial, while in court. There was also something about him telling a different client that it would help his case if witnesses disappeared, but I don't know how that was resolved.
February 15th, 2012 at 1:21 PM ^
"There was also something about him telling a different client that it would help his case if witnesses disappeared, but I don't know how that was resolved. "
Did his client get pulled over with 4 guns, a bottle of Grey Goose, and a hatchet in his car?
February 15th, 2012 at 2:21 PM ^
Disciplinary Counsel v. Cicero (1997), 78 Ohio St. 3d 351 -- One year suspension for boasting of intimate relationship with a judge.
February 15th, 2012 at 2:45 PM ^
Brings a whole different meaning to "Screw that judge."
February 15th, 2012 at 4:26 PM ^
So did he say, "Judge Judy? Nailed her!"?
February 15th, 2012 at 11:39 AM ^
Um....I'm no lawyer BUT i'm pretty darn sure his troubles stem from that pesky lawyer-client privilege thingie and not that he tattled on Jimbo. And as accurately pointed out already...he really didn't tattle on him at all. He gave him a heads up and tried to help him avoid getting busted. He just didn't count on Jim doing nothing and then leaving a paper trail of emails pointing back at him.
Best laid plans.......
February 15th, 2012 at 11:46 AM ^
I thought this thread would be about fans who bring whistles to the games. That annoys me.
February 15th, 2012 at 11:51 AM ^
February 15th, 2012 at 11:58 AM ^
Is that had he not leaked the info the Tressel (assuming he didnt know about his players wrong doings) he would still most likely be the coach and probably dealt with less penalties as an institution. No info = no covering up.
February 15th, 2012 at 12:25 PM ^
This is a terrible interpretation of 'blowing the whistle'.
He actually attempted to help coverup any wrongdoing and inadvertently gave tangible proof to Tressel hiding his prior knowledge.
This would be like Cicero running to tell Tressel to watch out and tripping and falling face first into a whistle and then the FBI stomping his breath out in a federal investigation that makes a whistle noise that the NCAA heard.
February 15th, 2012 at 12:43 PM ^
The recommendation is for violating attorney/client privilege. He didn't blow any whistle. He helped cause the problem by telling Tress about it then telling him it was confidential. I always thought one reason Tress didn't say anything is because Cicero would obviously lose his license if the emails became public.
February 15th, 2012 at 2:19 PM ^
Check out the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct: http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/LegalResources/Rules/ProfConduct/profConductRules.pdf.
A lawyer shall not reveal information relating to the representation of a client, including information protected by the attorney-client privilege under applicable law, unless the client gives informed consent . . .
February 15th, 2012 at 3:19 PM ^
Since Rife never hired Cicero, it's technically a violation of Rule 1.18(b) "Even when no client-lawyer relationship ensues, a lawyer who has had discussions with a prospective client shall not use or reveal information learned in the consultation, except as Rule 1.9 would permit with respect to information of a former client."
February 15th, 2012 at 3:58 PM ^
I just went back and read more about the situation and you're exactly right. Same result, different analysis.
Regardless, every lawyer knows this rule and if one is violating it, he/she needs to be punished severely. Violating this rule undermines the legal profession as a whole. I wouldn't be sorry to see him lose his license entirely. F- him.
February 15th, 2012 at 4:14 PM ^
I completely agree. I'm doing a couple of hours of pro bono work a week at a local homeless shelter, and the clients always ask me about confidentiality right off the bat. It's hard enough getting people to trust us without this sort of crap.
February 15th, 2012 at 2:53 PM ^
When I read the thread title, I thought you meant that someone got punished for literally blowing a whistle, at Yost or Crisler or something.