On Tuesday, February 14, 2023, the Disciplinary Counsel filed a complaint against Attorney Aaron Paul Hartley for criminal conduct before the Board of Professional Conduct of the Supreme Court of Ohio.

The case is entitled “Disciplinary Counsel v Aaron Paul Hartley,” with case no. 2023-001.

The charges cited Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct 8.4(b) which states:

It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to commit an illegal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty or trustworthiness.

The Rules of Professional Conduct can be found here.

The complaint alleged that the respondent committed six counts of misconduct. The first five counts involve a criminal conviction that according to the complainant, reflects adversely on the trustworthiness of the respondent. The remaining constitutes conduct that reflects on the fitness of Mr. Hartley on the other hand. In one of the charges, the respondent got to the point of using violence in the situation.

The filing states:

“During the evening of January 24, 2020, L.T. noticed a missed phone call from the respondent. Believing that her son may have been in trouble, L.T. texted the respondent and asked if he had called. For the next few hours, L.T. and the respondent talked on the phone and exchanged text messages. The Respondent sounded inebriated on the phone. The Respondent stated he was having marital problems and needed a friend. L.T. was concerned about the respondent’s well-being and told the respondent he could visit her home. LT. told the respondent she was inviting him as a friend and not for sex. Respondent arrived at L.T.’s home at about 11:00 p.m. and was visibly intoxicated. L.T.’s 13-year-old daughter, E.T., was in the house when the respondent arrived. E.T. Overheard the respondent make inappropriate comments about her body and state that he was “going to run up to [E.T.’s] room.” Because she was afraid of the respondent, E.T. called her father for a ride and left L.T.’s home. Respondent would not leave L.T. ‘s home after L.T. refused to have sex with him.”

The filing continues:

“Respondent threw a glass containing wine at the bathroom door, Respondent became aggressive and argued with L.T., who ran into her bedroom to get away from him. Respondent kicked the bedroom door and hit L.T. in the face with a closed fist. L.T. attempted to call 9]11. Respondent engaged in a physical struggle with L.T. and tried to take her cell phone. At approximately 3:20 a.m. on January 25, 2020, L.T. hid in a closet and called 911. L.T. leaned against Copyfish a wall with his fist.”

With all of the counts of alleged misconduct that have been mentioned in the Complaint, the relator requests that the respondent be found in violation of the above-mentioned Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct.

As of today, Mr. Hartley is listed on the law firm of Hartley Law Office, LLC as a practicing attorney. He attended Indiana University, graduating in 2006. He practices in Dayton. Ohio. He is licensed in Ohio. His info can be found on lawyers.justia.com.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.