Lawyer agency recommends Ohio governor be disciplined

The state agency that regulates lawyer behavior has recommended that Governor Taft be disciplined for failing to report golf outings and other gifts while in office. Taft pleaded no contest in August to the ethics violations and was fined $4,000. The Republican was the first Ohio governor to be charged with a crime while in office. The agency says Taft violated Ohio's code of professional conduct for lawyers. The code says a lawyer shall not, quoting "engage in any other conduct that adversely reflects on the lawyer's fitness to practice law." Taft could face penalties that range from a reprimand to loss of his license to practice law. The Supreme Court will determine the penalty.