Missouri Supreme Court Disciplines Mark And Patricia McCloskey, Puts St Louis Couple On Probation And Could Suspend Law Licenses
The Missouri Supreme Court disciplined Mark McCloskey and his wife Patricia McCloskey, the couple who went viral for waving guns at protesters. The court put the two St. Louis attorneys on probation for a year and will suspend their law licenses if they violate the terms.
Missouri Chief Disciplinary Counsel Alan Pratzel had asked the court to suspend the law licenses of the McCloskey’s last year after they took guilty pleas to misdemeanors. The Court said they “committed a misdemeanor offense involving moral turpitude” in its ruling.
“I think the reason why we were asked to be suspended had more to do with politics than anything else,” Mark McCloskey said. “I don’t think we acted in moral turpitude at all.
The probation terms require the McCloskeys to report to the court every quarter and note any arrests, criminal charges, civil lawsuits, disputes with clients, investigations questioning their fitness to practice law and reports of additional disciplinary complaints.
The court also ordered them to provide 100 hours of pro bono legal services.
Mark said: “We respect the Supreme Court’s opinion, although we disagree. We will comply 100% with the orders.
“I disagree with the Supreme Court that what we did on our front porch constituted a misdemeanor offense involving moral turpitude.
“I will respectfully cooperate with and fully perform my probation.
“The folks that support me know what I did, why I did it and support me for having done it,” McCloskey said.
McCloskey, who is running for Senate, said he may appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.
From Fox News:
Mark McCloskey pleaded guilty to misdemeanor fourth-degree assault over the incident involving Black Lives Matter protesters and paid a $750 fine. His wife, Patricia McCloskey, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor harassment and was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine.
The couple was pardoned by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson last year.