One would think that felony convictions for theft, money laundering, and misapplication of fiduciary property would, at a minimum, result in automatic suspension of Mr. Demond's law license, and ultimate disbarment if his appeals are unsuccessful
Note: Here's a letter received from Merle Moden of Wimberley addressed to journalists, and we would take that to include all citizen-journalists out there. If you have strong feelings or are just lukewarm on this matter, you can contact the State Bar of Texas Chief Disciplinary Counsel at this number in Austin: 512.427.1350. (The person who answered the phone said the office is not set up to receive e-mailed grievances "due to the volume," but will accept mailed or faxed grievances.) It may still be worthwhile to call the number and register your questions and concerns.
Send your comments and questions to roundup.editor@gmail.com, to Mr. Moden at mlmoden@gmail.com, or click on the "comments" at the bottom of the letter
Walter Demond/StatesmanFormer PEC outside counsel Walter E. Demond of the former law firm of Clark, Thomas & Winters was convicted of theft, money laundering, and misapplication of fiduciary property in Boerne, Kendall County, Texas on May 31, 2011. Based upon this conviction, it would appear that Mr. Demond would be ineligible to practice law in the State of Texas.
In a letter dated June 28, 2011 I asked the State Bar of Texas (Bar) what steps had been taken to revoke the law license of Mr. Demond. The Bar replied that "they will be taking appropriate action." I don't know what the Bar's definition of appropriate is, but it is difficult to accept the idea that Mr. Demond can continue to hold his law license and practice law. One would think that felony convictions for theft, money laundering, and misapplication of fiduciary property would, at a minimum, result in automatic suspension of Mr. Demond's law license, and ultimate disbarment if his appeals are unsuccessful. And, one would think that such a high profile case would result in the Bar behaving in a timely and exemplary manner.
As of July 28, 2011, the Bar, to my knowledge, has taken no "appropriate action" to address Mr. Demond's eligibility to continue to hold his law license and practice law. Consequently, Ernest Altgelt and I have filed a grievance with the Bar requesting an investigation into Mr. Demond's conduct and the conduct of any other Clark, Thomas & Winters attorney who may have been aware of Mr. Demond's activities regarding $978,000 in illicit payments made at the behest of Bennie Fuelberg, convicted felon and former General Manager of the Pedernales Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Mr. Merle L. Moden
Wimberley, Texas
2 comments:
Obviously no one in Texas leadership gives a damn about what Demond, Fuelberg and those at the helm of PEC have done in the name of greed and corruption. Otherwise, we would see a legitimate outcome and punishment distributed to Fuelberg at the end of his trial.
Instead, our laws and court system permit big shots to circumvent the laws that the rest of us must follow.
It is a shame and should be a crime for those in charge to permit such obvious criminal high end white collar illegal actions from becoming so common place.
PEC members have paid a huge price to line the pockets of these vermin and are still paying.
Merle,
I don't want to suggest that your indignation over the reality that another "convicted" corrupt lawyer is still praciticing law - but since when did illegal activity limit the activity of lawyers.
If we define lobby money as bribes to legislators (mostly lawyers), they are all crooks, since that is exactly what lobby money is: BRIBES (unfortunately, legal bribes).
I know you know this but as a nation we have become sadly numbed to such rampant larcenous behavior - especially white collar and legislative corruption - because Joe the Plumber and Josie RealityShow have come to respect a good hustler who cons the system, gets caught, and then figures out a way to make millions in spite of their reputation.
Bernie Madoff is just the tip of the iceberg in Wall Street but when even our own President is affraid to go after the endemic crony Wall Street insider trading scams and the bankster gangsters (in fact, he seems to bless it), all the average American can do is hope someday they can emulate such brazen exploitation of a totally corrupted legal system.
Hell, even lawyers at the local level will represent anyone's business interests for pay even if those business interests are bad for the community or for consumers.
Good community awareness article. But hey, where does this guy office? He may be able to help me to scam the system somehow.
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