Why one shouldn't rush to judgment....

... even when it's reported in the newspaper.  Lots of people in town have been quick to jump on the Lewis/Tein bar investigation.  Problem is that it was misreported.  Here's the Florida Bar letter from today, apologizing:

April 16, 2012

 

Mr. Guy A. Lewis

Mr. Michael Ross Tein

Lewis Tein PL

3059 Grand Avenue, Suite 340

Coconut Grove, FL  33133-5166

Re:      Complaint by The Florida Bar against Michael Ross Tein

            The Florida Bar File No. 2012-70,334(11G)

            Complaint by The Florida Bar Bar against Guy A. Lewis

            The Florida Bar File No. 2012-70,335(11G)

Dear Mr. Lewis and Mr. Tein:

Newspapers recently reported information pertaining to your representation of Tammy Gwen Billie and Jimmy Bert, some of which was attributed to The Florida Bar and some of which was not accurate.  Pursuant to our discussions, please be advised as follows:

            1.         The Florida Bar does not now nor did it previously have an investigation                                        pertaining to your Motion to Recuse Judge Dresnick, as was previously reported.

            2.         The matter which is pending at Grievance Committee pertains only to Judge                                  Dresnick's $3500 sanctions order and not to “perjury” or any other issue or                                     allegation, as was previously reported.

            3.         As discussed, the Florida Bar continues to monitor the underlying civil                                           proceedings.

 
The Bar regrets any confusion caused by the recent news reports.

Sincerely,

/s/ 

ARLENE KALISH SANKEL

Chief Branch Discipline Counsel

cc:        Mr. Kendall B. Coffey, Esq.

UPDATE -- The Herald issued this correction today.  They were given the bad information by the Bar:

Because of incorrect information provided by the Florida Bar, a story in Friday's Metro section gave an inaccurate account of the Bar’s investigation into Miami lawyers Guy Lewis and Michael Tein. The Bar is not investigating the lawyers for their assertion — in a recusal motion involving their clients, two Miccosukee Indians — that Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Ronald Dresnick was biased against Native Americans. The story also mischaracterized the status of two other related allegations. The Bar’s grievance committee is investigating Lewis and Tein’s failure to turn over financial records of their clients. The Bar’s staff is monitoring the lawyers’ assertions regarding the source of their clients’ payments.