Misconduct by former state bar presidents is rare, but if you're looking for an example, try Kentucky. Making the case especially noteworthy is the fact that the state's latest example of presidential misconduct involves misconduct during a presidential term. The Supreme Court of Kentucky issued a reprimand today of Barbara Bonar, the 2008-2009 President of the State Bar of Kentucky for, among other things, misrepresenting the reason she had removed four members from the Kentucky Bar Association's ethics committee during her presidency. She falsely claimed that terms of the four members, who had ties to a firm Bonar sued unsuccessfully for fees, had expired, and that she had removed them to create greater diversity on the committee. The misconduct grew out of Bonar's involvement in a class action lawsuit against a Roman Catholic Diocese alleging long-term concealment of sexual abuse by diocesan priests. From the opinion:
While Bonar's conflict of interest is arguably the most serious violation in her consolidated file, her admitted violation of former SCR 3.130-8.3(c) arising out of her conduct as KBA President is deeply troubling. When the allegations of ethical misconduct were levied against Bonar, KBA policy prohibited her from sitting on disciplinary cases. Following the KBA investigation, the Board mandated that Bonar seek consent and approval from the KBA Board of Governors or Executive Committee for any further committee appointments or removals. As Past President, Bonar was unable to review proposed consensual discipline. Moreover, her misconduct as KBA President is apparently unique. Previous disciplinary actions against Kentucky bar association officers are distinguishable from Bonar's case, and there is an absence of legal authority in other jurisdictions concerning a bar president's misconduct while acting in his or her official capacity. There is no doubt that Bonar's actions and subsequent brazen misrepresentations harmed the integrity of her office and adversely affected KBA operations.
In 2007, the Kentucky Supreme Court disbarred the 2003 President of the Kentucky State Bar, Steve Catron, for mishandling more than $500,000 in public funds. The Kentucky Bar Association is a mandatory state bar created in 1934.
