On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, the Director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility filed a Petition for Disciplinary Action against attorney Wesley W. Scott in the Minnesota Supreme Court.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Wesley W. Scott.”
The petition alleges that in July 2020, Scott got into an altercation with a man referred to as M.W.S. while driving his jet ski on Long Lake in Sherburne County. When police officers arrived to investigate, Scott falsely told them that it was his brother, not him, who was driving the jet ski during the incident. He refused to provide his brother’s name or contact information to the officers.
Later that day, police identified Scott as the individual driving the jet ski after receiving a still photo of the driver from video footage of the incident. Scott also admitted under oath during a later harassment restraining order hearing that he was the one operating the watercraft.
The petition claims Scott’s provision of false information to law enforcement violated Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct. Specifically, it alleges violations of rules prohibiting dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation, as well as conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.
However, the same day the petition was filed, Scott stipulated its allegations and agreed to public disciplinary measures without requiring further panel or court proceedings. In the stipulation, Scott admits to the petition’s allegations and waives his rights to a hearing or contesting any resulting findings and discipline.
Both Scott and the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility jointly recommend a public reprimand as the appropriate sanction. The stipulation has been submitted to the Minnesota Supreme Court for review and final approval. If approved, Scott would receive a public reprimand for his misconduct and be required to pay $900 in costs.
The stipulation aims to expedite the resolution of the matter without unnecessary further process. It indicates Scott’s voluntary acceptance of responsibility and willingness to resolve the disciplinary case in the interests of accountability and transparency regarding his past actions.
According to avvo.com, Mr. Scott is a Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. He attended the William Mitchell College of Law, graduating in 1996. He acquired his law license in Minnesota in the same year.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
