AZ State Representative Alex Kolodin is a Naughty Little Lawyer

Arizona state representative Alexander Michael Del Rey Kolodin – who is allegedly an attorney – has admitted to the Arizona Bar that he violated the Code of Ethics for Arizona attorneys.

Kolodin admits he committed those ethical violations in the course of his representation of his client in the so-called ‘Sharpie-gate’ litigation, in which he falsely and baselessly alleged that the pens used to mark ballots somehow caused a misreading of the ballots; and, in the course of representing his clients Mark Finchem (then candidate for Arizona Secretary of State), and Anthony Kern (then an Arizona state representative) alleging they had been defamed by Arizona state representative Charlene Fernandez in a letter requesting (along with 42 other state legislators) the DoJ and FBI investigate Finchem’s and Kern’s role in encouraging the mob to riot at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. on January 6th, while they were both present at the insurrection.

Specifically, Kolodin has admitted he violated Ethical Rules 3.1 and 8.4(d).

ER 3.1.     Meritorious Claims and Contentions 

“A lawyer shall not bring or defend a proceeding, or assert or controvert an issue therein, unless there is a good faith basis in law and fact for doing so that is not frivolous, which may include a good faith and nonfrivolous argument for an extension, modification or reversal of existing law.  A lawyer for the defendant in a criminal proceeding, or the respondent in a proceeding that could result in incarceration, may nevertheless so defend the proceeding as to require that every element of the case be established.”

This violation is based in the ‘Sharpie-gate’ litigation. Kolodin has admitted that the suit lacked any good faith basis or non frivolous argument under the law. In short, filing the suit was groundless and without legal merit.

Bad little tricksy shyster, Alex!

ER 8.4.     Misconduct

“It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to:
 
(a) violate or attempt to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct, knowingly assist or induce another to do so, or do so through the acts of another;
 
(b) commit a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects;
 
(c) engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation;
 
(d) engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice;”

This violation is based on Kolodin’s representation of Finchem and Kern. An attorney may not file a lawsuit for an improper purpose. In this case, the trial court found that “Plaintiff’s lawsuit against [Rep. Fernandez] was brought for an improper purpose, having been filed against a political opponent primarily for the purpose of harassment.” Kolodin thus admits he filed the lawsuit for an improper purpose that constitutes conduct that is prejudicial to justice. In short, Kolodin admits to having filed a harassing SLAPP suit against Fernandez.

Thuggish, wicked, naughty little hatchet man, Alex!

Kolodin has been sanctioned by the Bar for his unethical behavior. He should also be sanctioned by the voters of his district by losing his seat, and the voters of Arizona by never allowing him to hold elected office in our state again: he’s an unethical hack who wields the law unethically as a weapon, not as a means of serving Arizona’s citizens.