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Paul D. Ryals (WSBA No. 17732, admitted 1988), of Richland, was disbarred, effective May 25, 2011, by order of the Washington State Supreme Court following a default hearing. This discipline is based on conduct involving the commission of a crime.
On March 21, 2009, Mr. Ryals stole a vacuum cleaner from a department store in Lynnwood, Washington. On March 24, 2009, the Snohomish County prosecutor filed an Information charging Mr. Ryals with second-degree theft (RCW 9A.56.040(1)(a)), a felony. On February 12, 2010, following a stipulated bench trial, the court found Mr. Ryals guilty of second-degree theft as charged in the Information.
Mr. Ryals’s conduct violated RPC 8.4(b), prohibiting a lawyer from committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects; and RPC 8.4(i), prohibiting a lawyer from committing any act involving moral turpitude, or corruption, or any other act which reflects disregard for the rule of law, whether the same be committed in the course of his or her conduct as a lawyer, or otherwise.
Joanne S. Abelson represented the Bar Association. Mr. Ryals did not appear in person or through counsel. William J. Murphy was the hearing officer. |