On Thursday, August 24, 2023, the Florida Bar filed a complaint against attorney Michael M. Stover for alleged criminal conduct involving the acceptance of a controlled substance for legal services rendered.

The case is entitled “The Florida Bar v. Michael M. Stover”.

The charges cited Rules Regulating The Florida Bar 3-4.3 and 4-8.4(b) which states:

The complaint alleges multiple violations of professional conduct rules. The complaint states that Stover engaged in criminal conduct related to his legal practice, specifically by accepting a controlled substance as payment for legal services. The investigative process began when the Florida Department of Law Enforcement received information about possible illegal narcotics being exchanged for legal services by Stover, a licensed private attorney.

On January 6, 2021, an audio/video recording was made where Stover agreed to accept Adderall pills as payment for legal representation in a criminal matter. Subsequently, he met with a confidential source and accepted sixty Adderall pills, valuing them at $5.00 each toward his legal fee. Stover was arrested for purchasing a controlled substance, and he was charged with violating Florida Statute 893.13(2)(a)(2), a third-degree felony.

Stover entered into a pretrial intervention contract in September 2021, which deferred prosecution for 24 months, contingent on his compliance with various conditions. On March 8, 2023, the State Attorney’s Office filed a notice of completion of the pre-trial intervention agreement and a Nolle Prosequi, dismissing the criminal charges due to Stover’s successful completion of the contract.

These allegations, if proven true, could have significant consequences for Stover’s legal career and professional standing.

The request states:

“WHEREFORE, The Florida Bar prays respondent will be appropriately disciplined in accordance with the provisions of the rules regulating The Florida Bar as amended”

According to LinkedIn, Mr. Stover runs his own law firm – The Law Offices of Michael M. Stover. He attended the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, William H. Bowen School of Law, graduating in 2014. He acquired his law license in Florida in 2015.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.