Ethics
Former prime public defender in Minneapolis disbarred after felony tax conviction
The Minnesota Supreme Courtroom on Wednesday disbarred Kassius Orlando Benson, the previous chief public defender for Hennepin County, Minneapolis, after his conviction for tax evasion and misappropriating shopper funds. (Picture from LinkedIn)
The Minnesota Supreme Courtroom on Wednesday disbarred the previous chief public defender for Hennepin County, Minneapolis, following his conviction for tax evasion and misappropriating shopper funds.
The state supreme courtroom known as his actions “essentially the most critical sorts of lawyer misconduct,” in line with coverage by Law360.
The justices mentioned disbarment was “the suitable self-discipline” for Kassius Orlando Benson, who has admitted that he didn’t pay greater than $213,000 in worker withholdings earlier than changing into the chief public defender.
Benson, previously a legal protection lawyer, admitted in 2023 to failing to pay taxes, and he was sentenced to 3 years of probation in 2024. He was additionally ordered to pay almost $214,000 in restitution to the IRS, in line with Law360.
The justices mentioned Benson’s misconduct “paints a troubling image of an lawyer who repeatedly positioned his personal monetary needs and wishes over his authorized obligations and fiduciary duties.”
Benson, who resigned from the general public defender place in 2022, presently has a trial and jury consulting business.
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