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SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA NO. IN RE: 98-B-0442

WILLIAM YARNO, JR.

ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS

PER CURIAM* This attorney disciplinary proceeding arises from formal charges filed by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel ("ODC") against respondent, William Yarno, Jr., an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Louisiana. The charges allege respondent

violated Rule 8.4(b) (criminal acts adversely reflecting on a lawyer's honestly) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.

UNDERLYING FACTS The record indicates that respondent was previously

employed as executive director of Central Louisiana Legal Services ("CLLS"), a taxpayer funded legal aid service. Sometime in 1990,

respondent used funds from CLLS's client trust fund to pay court costs for two clients who had privately retained respondent to represent them, and did not qualify for CLLS' legal aid services.1 On August 25, 1993, respondent was charged in the Ninth Judicial District Court, Parish of Rapides, with two counts of theft in excess of $100 but less than $500, in violation of La. R.S. 14:67(B), a felony. On May 16, 1995, respondent entered a

plea of nolo contendere to a reduced charge of theft of less than one hundred dollars, a misdemeanor offense. The trial court

sentenced respondent under the provisions of La. Code Crim. P. art. 894(B),2 ordering him to pay a fine of $200, pay court costs of

*

Knoll, J. not on panel.

Rule IV, Part 2,

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