Paul Donald Rush, of McMinn County, was publicly censured by Order of the Tennessee Supreme Court on Dec. 27.
The Board of Professional Responsibility filed a Petition for Discipline against Mr. Rush on July 6, 2012 alleging that he committed ethical misconduct in the prosecution of a criminal case. A hearing panel determined that Mr. Rush intentionally solicited a statement from a prosecution witness which had been prohibited by a court order prior to trial. Further, the hearing panel concluded that Mr. Rush failed to report misconduct to the Board of Professional Responsibility as ordered by the trial court.
Mr. Rush’s actions violate the following Rules of Professional Conduct: 3.4(c), Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel, and 8.4(d), Misconduct.
For these violations, the Tennessee Supreme Court publicly censured Mr. Rush. A public censure is a rebuke and warning to the lawyer, but does not affect the lawyer’s ability to practice law.