John S. Carroll, a former legislator who has been a familiar figure in Republican politics for decades, has asked to be allowed to surrender his law license in order to avoid potential disbarment.
Carroll, now age 87, was cited in two 2015 complaints pursued by the Office of the Disciplinary Counsel, which alleged numerous violations of the Hawaii Rules of Professional Conduct. Both cases involved errors made in handling client cases, providing misleading answers to investigators, and violating rules that apply to all lawyers. Following a formal hearing, the hearing officer recommended Carroll be disbarred, documents show.
When the recommendation was then considered by the Disciplinary Board of the Hawaii Supreme Court, Carroll requested that he be allowed to “resign from the practice of law in lieu of discipline,” on the condition that he be allowed to wrap up his law practice in an orderly fashion.
The board agreed with Carroll’s offer, and set an effective date for his resignation of October 31, 2017. Under the terms of the agreement, he is not allowed to accept new clients or take on any new matters.
It is now up to the Hawaii Supreme Court whether to accept Carroll’s request to resign, which is now supported by the Disciplinary Board, or turn it down, in which case the Disciplinary Board would proceed with final deliberations on the hearing officer’s disbarment recommendation.
Past runs for elected office
Carroll has run for statewide office and lost five times since 2000. Here’s his overall record as summarized by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser last year.
1966: US House (lost)
1968: US House then switched to County Council (lost)
1970: State House (won)
1972: State House (won)
1974: State House (won)
1976: State House (won)
1978: State Senate (won)
1980: State Senate (lost)
1998: State Senate (lost)
2000: US Senate (lost)
2002: Governor (lost)
2010: Governor (lost)
2012: US Senate (lost)
2016: US Senate (lost)
The allegations of the Office of Disciplinary Counsel were submitted to the Disciplinary Board in October 2015. They are based on ODC’s examination of two cases in which Carroll allegedly violated court rules on numerous occasions.
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Should have retired sooner.
John Carroll has been shown some mistakes and encouraged to retire? That seems fair on the face of it, and practicing law until age 87 is a fine accomplishment. He could still go back into politics.
This recantation is correct. BUT any responsible reporter would at least try to get information on the entire matter.
I am withdrawing that request on the next meeting with the board. That board has been exemplary in handling this matter and has demanded that the ODC attorneys turn over evidence that was not allowed into evidence by the hearing officer.
For the record I admitted a number of violations having to do with proper accounting practices. Ian could have called me if he wanted to be fair.
I don’t quite understand the first case aside from the mishandling of client money, but that second one of behaving as if you represent a party when that party did not grant authority to do so is a doozy. Sure looks like enough in there to foil a campaign if the messaging is about character.
Journalism is almost 100% agenda driven these days. I don’t get the point of the article. What is your agenda?
No agenda intended. Just a report on a familiar public figure appearing in court records.