The Commission for Lawyer Discipline has filed a disciplinary petition against John Morgan, seeking to possibly disbar the Beaumont attorney for making false accusations that several members of the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office smoke marijuana.
The commission, the disciplinary arm of the State Bar of Texas, filed the petition Aug. 25 in Jefferson County District Court.
According to the petition, on April 4, 2014, Morgan pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charge of making a false report to a peace officer.
Morgan’s affidavit states: “On April 9, 2012, (Morgan) was interviewed by (BPD detective Mark) Hogge. During the investigation, (Morgan) made a comment to him that several members of the DA’s Office of Jefferson County smoke marihuana in their offices. Also, a statement about marihuana being skimmed from dope cases. (Morgan) made these statements to Det. Hogge knowing they were false.”
As previously reported, Morgan had reported to the DEA and FBI that the DA’s Office was allegedly involved in an illegal narcotics operation.
Court records show Thomas C. Retzlaff filed a grievance on Feb. 17, bringing the matter to the attention of the commission.
Contending that Morgan violated the commission’s rule of conduct in committing a serious crime, the commission seeks to suspend or disbar the attorney, according to the petition.
Linda Acevedo represents the bar.
Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court, has been assigned to the case.
Case No. D-197479