Case Summary
The Complaint alleged that on March 10, 2016, the Third Division of the Appellate Court entered an order in a case where Respondent’s nephew was a party. The Justices of the Third Division who entered that order were Presiding Justice Mary Anne Mason, Justice Terrence Lavin, and Justice James F. Smith. Thereafter, in March 2016, Respondent initiated and engaged in an improper ex parte communication with Justice Lavin about the order. The Complaint also alleges that on March 29, 2016, Respondent met with Presiding Justice Mary Anne Mason and engaged in an improper ex parte communication with her regarding the same order. The Complaint further alleges that on February 14, 2020, Respondent made statements he knew to be false while testifying before the Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board. The deceptions before the Board were made under oath and concerned facts Respondent knew were relevant to the Judicial Inquiry Board’s investigation into his conduct.