Legal Ethics

Former Conn. Ethics Counsel Faces Ethics Complaint Over Fake Letter

  •  
  •  
  •  
  • Print

A Connecticut lawyer who posed as a parking lot attendant when she wrote an anonymous letter complaining about her boss at a state agency is now facing a disciplinary complaint.

Maureen Duggan faces a hearing in November or December, after a judicial branch disciplinary panel on Aug. 19 determined that there was probable cause to charge her with an ethical violation, reports the Hartford Courant.

The Statewide Grievance Committee panel accused her of violating a legal ethics rule that bars “conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation” and “conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice,” the newspaper writes.

Duggan’s 2004 letter led to the dismissal of Alan Plofsky, who was then the chief of the State Ethics Commission. She has also left her job there, and is now earning $105,000 annually at the state Department of Children and Families, as a lawyer with management responsibilities.

Her lawyer could not be reached by the newspaper for comment, but has submitted a written response denying misconduct on Duggan’s part.

Earlier coverage:

ABAJournal.com: “Lawyer’s Fake Letter Complaining About Boss Puts Her in Hot Water”

ABAJournal.com: “Conn. Ethics Counsel’s Fake Letter Helped Get Ethics Chief Axed”

Give us feedback, share a story tip or update, or report an error.