Lawyer Stanley Chesley disbarred over Unethical Behavior!

Without a doubt, in this stressful economic time, the power of money… lots of money, obviously takes precedence over ethical behavior. How else can we assess and explain the reason behind Stanley Chesley’s unethical behavior?  Why would a lawyer deemed hero of so many “victims”, risk disbarment and banishment from the legal world just to add $20 million to his already overflowing bank account?

With our way of life already being robbed from the sharp decline in the value of the dollar, medical and hospital expenses becoming virtually unaffordable, college tuition almost doubling, and the rate of inflation at an all time high, there are still some things we would expect to remain ethically intact.  How about truth, honesty and integrity for a start? Most of us are already being robbed of our jobs and our way of life without the inclusion of unethical behavior by those we deem trustworthy. Indisputably, we would never expect to be unethically compromised by those who have taken sworn oaths to protect us and watch over us.

As human nature and the “fish trap” concept would probably dictate, desperation created by bankruptcy, an IRS audit, astronomical medical bills, or a financially draining divorce may ensue an attempt to embezzle, rob, cheat, or steal. How then, would we ever expect someone who already has more than they could ever possibly want to cheat someone out of almost “everything” they paid dues to deserve?

The renowned lawyer was disbarred by the Kentucky Supreme Court after being convicted of unethical and immoral behavior while conducting a $200 million dollar class action lawsuit over the diet drug fen-phen. Not only did the “master of disaster” corral an excessive $20 million dollar fee for himself, he also helped to mask unethical behavior by other lawyers in the case. Though he, and the other attorneys involved in the lawsuit were only to accept “total” fees of 33% or less, only $46 million dollars was actually paid to the clients of the lawsuit.

In the court proceedings there was mention of Chesley’s “good” reputation and “generosity”, of which records will indicate, is historically true.  Yet, the questions will arise for months to come, not just from readers and watchers of the superfluity of information on this case, but also from the victims themselves of the fen-phen lawsuit. “What happened to the “good reputation”….the “generosity”….the integrity….the ethical behavior of Chesley and all the other lawyers in this profound case? Who in our culture can we trust if those sworn to protect and watch over us are also the ones who cheat us and are ethically immoral toward us?

The most disturbing question that will probably never be answered is…”Why did a man such as Stanley Chesley…a man who already had more than most people dreamed of… a man who was respected, honored, and revered by both his fellow cohorts and those he served feel a need to engage in such unethical behavior? Was it indeed the “fish trap” theory where the opportunity was so compelling he could not resist the temptation? Did he feel the sense of “entitlement” for all his years of continuous and fervent service to the community and to so many “victims”? Or could it have been ALL of those things accompanied by a reputation he felt was above the law and not subjective to the standards held by most people in his profession?

Above all, the most saddening thing is that when the smoke clears…the reporters and journalist have written all that they could… the consequences of his disbarment become etched in the legal world… and the questions that will never be answered are finally laid to rest; Stan Chesley will have to take a long look in the mirror at Stanley Chesley.

This will become a part of history that he has to explain to his grandchildren. This will be the unspoken explanation his wife will long for as she sits across from him at the breakfast table. This will become a disrupted ideology he has taught law students mentored along the way. And if nothing else the courtroom pioneer and legend has to come to terms with the fact that he will not only lose credibility in the political world and with educational institutions, he will also lose credibility amongst family and friends.

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME!