The Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility has dismissed a complaint filed by City Councilwoman Wanda Halbert against deputy city attorney Veronica Coleman-Davis and a lawyer the city hired to recoup legal fees paid for the criminal defense of Joseph Lee III, former Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division president and CEO.
The administration of Mayor Pro Tem Myron Lowery hired local attorney Ronald D. Krelstein, who originally filed suit against the city to recoup Lee’s legal fees, to go after city money paid to defend Lee against a 2007 federal probe.
The MLGW board approved paying bills related to Lee’s criminal defense, but the City Council refused. City Atty. Elbert Jefferson, who is on leave while Dist. Atty. Gen. Bill Gibbons pursues an ouster motion against him because the attorney paid Robert Spence $55,000 related to the criminal defense of former mayor Willie Herenton, later arranged to have the city pay the bills.
When Lowery took office after Herenton left, he hired Krelstein to recoup the legal fees.
Halbert then filed a complaint with the state disciplinary body for lawyers, claiming a “serious breach” of professional conduct.
Krelstein says the claim was frivolous and that he is owed an apology.
“It seems to me that an apology is due to me and Ms. Coleman-Davis with the same sort of fanfare that accompanied the announcement that she was filing a complaint,” said Krelstein. “And the lawyer who assisted her ought to be ashamed of himself.”
The state board notified Coleman-Davis today that the complaint was dismissed administratively. Administrative dismissals are not subject to appeal.
“Naturally, I’m pleased,” said Coleman-Davis.
Lowery blasted Halbert, who is running against Lowery in today’s mayoral election.
“Clearly, the fact that this complaint was dismissed so quickly shows that the complaint had no merit,” said Lowery.
Halbert could not be reached for comment.
"It seems to me that an apology is due to me and Ms. Coleman-Davis with the same sort of fanfare that accompanied the announcement that she was filing a complaint," said Krelstein."
Yeah?...well don't hold your breath, bub. Pigs will fly and snowballs will be thrown in h-e-double-hockey-sticks before that will happen. Ms. Halbert has shown herself to be nothing more than a self-serving, attention craving, pathetic excuse for a politician. Did she have to pay any court costs for this, or is this another drama on the tax-payers tab?