Two attorneys who tried to help a dissident group claim control of the Round Valley Indian Tribes should be suspended, the California State Bar Court ruled last week.
Attorneys Patrick J. Maloney Jr. and Thomas S. Virsik �wove a tapestry of deception" on behalf of the Round Valley Nation, the ruling stated. The dissident group had declared "independence" in February 2000, claiming they were the rightful leaders of the tribe.
The effort failed and, through a later state court case, the attorneys were sanctioned for "egregious conduct." They had tried to gain control of tribal funds and misrepresented themselves before the court.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs never recognized the dissident group.
Get the Story:
State Bar Court Review Department Urges Lawyers Be Suspended for Role in Tribal ‘Coup’ Attempt
(The Metropolitan News-Enterprise 1/20)
Get the Ruling:
In the Matter of Patrick Joseph Maloney, Jr., and Thomas Steven Virsik, Members of the State Bar (January 14, 2005)
Lawyers who took part in tribal coup face suspension
Friday, January 21, 2005
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