IN RE: CLEOPHUS WASHINGTON (2024)

Joint petition for consent discipline accepted. See per curiam.

JLW

JDH

JTK

PDG

Supreme Court of Louisiana December 27, 2024

12/27/24

SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA

NO. 2024-B-1367

IN RE: CLEOPHUS WASHINGTON

ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDING

PER CURIAM

The Office of Disciplinary Counsel (“ODC”) commenced an investigation into allegations that respondent engaged in criminal conduct. Prior to the filing of formal charges, respondent and the ODC submitted a joint petition for consent discipline. Having reviewed the petition,

IT IS ORDERED that the Petition for Consent Discipline be accepted and that Cleophus Washington, Louisiana Bar Roll number 38491, be and he hereby is suspended from the practice of law for one year. It is further ordered that this suspension shall be deferred in its entirety, subject to probation for a period to coincide with the term of respondent's recovery agreement with the Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program. Any failure of respondent to comply with the terms of the agreement may be grounds for making the deferred suspension executory, or imposing additional discipline, as appropriate.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that all costs and expenses in the matter are assessed against respondent in accordance with Supreme Court Rule XIX, § 10.1, with legal interest to commence thirty days from the date of finality of this court's judgment until paid.

Crain, J., dissents and would reject the proposed discipline as too lenient. McCallum, J., dissents and would reject the proposed discipline as too lenient.