On Tuesday, October 18, 2022, the Supreme Court of the State of Louisiana ruled on the Petition for Consent Discipline filed by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel against New Orleans Attorney Karen Ruth Carter Peterson in relation to her guilty plea to wire fraud. The ruling disbarred Peterson.
The case, titled In Re: Karen Ruth Peterson was brought by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, Case No. 2022-B-1348.
The charges cited Rules 8.4(a), 8.4(b), and 8.4(c) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
The Rules of Professional Conduct can be found here.
According to the filing:
“Respondent, a former elected official, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in connection with her use of state political party and campaign funds to support her gambling addiction. Prior to the filing of formal charges, respondent and the Office of Disciplinary Counsel submitted a joint petition for consent discipline, in which respondent acknowledges that her conduct constitutes a violation of Rules 8.4(a),8.4(b), and 8.4(c)of the Rules of Professional Conduct.”
The Court accepted the Petition and ordered the disbarment of Respondent.
The disposition reads:
“IT IS ORDERED that the Petition for Consent Discipline be accepted and that Karen Ruth Carter Peterson, Louisiana Bar Roll number 23446, be and she hereby is disbarred, retroactive to August 18, 2022, the date of her interim suspension. Her name shall be stricken from the roll of attorneys and her license to practice law in the State of Louisiana shall be revoked.”
All costs and expenses incurred in the matters were assessed against Peterson.
According to Ballotpedia, Ms. Karen Ruth Carter Peterson was a state senator of the State of Louisiana from 2010 until her resignation on April 8, 2022. She graduated from Tulane University Law School. She had been licensed in Louisiana, license no. 23446. Her info can also be found on LinkedIn.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
