YOUNGSTOWN -- The Ohio Supreme Court's disciplinary counsel has issued a public reprimand against longtime defense attorney Don L. Hanni Jr. of Youngstown.
He was accused of unethical conduct for representing a man in a 1999 criminal case while knowing that the FBI said the same man tried to extort money from another of Hanni's clients four years earlier. The state said that created a conflict of interest for Hanni.
A hearing on the matter was in March. Neither Hanni nor his attorney, John Shultz, could be reached to comment. Hanni has to file an objection to the decision.
He could have been suspended or disbarred, but the disciplinary counsel said a reprimand is appropriate because Hanni has had a "long and distinguished career" as a defense attorney with no previous disciplinary action.
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