On June 15, 2023, the Supreme Court of Kentucky ordered to dissolve the temporary suspension of attorney Ronnie Lee Goldy, Jr. after he was suspended for abusing his power as a Commonwealth Attorney.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Ronnie Lee Goldy, Jr.,” with case no. 2022-SC-0289-KB.
On September 16, 2022, the Kentucky Bar Association filed a case on Goldy for abusing his power as the Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 21st Judicial Circuit. Allegedly, he attempted to use his position to influence several criminal cases related to Misty Helton, with whom he had a relationship with.
Goldy allegedly intervened in Helton’s criminal cases by having court dates moved or warrants recalled. In return, Goldy solicited nude photos and videos from Helton.
The Order states that:
“The Special Commissioner found that for a “period up to seven years” this conduct occurred, and that “Mr. Goldy abused his power by using his official position as Commonwealth’s Attorney to provide Ms. Helton with assistance in criminal matters for her benefit while he expected and requested actions of a sexual nature from her for his benefit.”
Based on the Special Commissioner’s findings and conclusions, Goldy was formally charged with violation of SCR 3.165(1)(b) and SCR 3.130(4.2), and therefore temporarily suspended from the practice of law during the pendency of the Inquiry Commission’s investigation. The rules state:
Conduct poses a substantial threat of harm to his clients or to the public.
In representing a client, a lawyer shall not communicate about the subject of the representation with a person the lawyer knows to be represented by another lawyer in the matter, unless the lawyer has the consent of the other lawyer or is authorized to do so by law or a court order.
Additionally, the House of Representatives passed Articles of Impeachment against Goldy, and the Senate duly impeached him on March 30, 2023. Goldy is no longer the Commonwealth Attorney for the 21st Judicial Circuit and may not hold any elected office again.
Goldy has argued that his temporary suspension for more than 180 days is overly punitive when compared to other cases of attorneys who were also found to have violated SCR 3.130(4.2).
After careful investigation, the Inquiry Commission has decided to dissolve Goldy’s suspension for it was believed to be an isolated incident tied to his position as Commonwealth Attorney.
The Order states:
“There is no public record of Goldy having ever been previously disciplined by this Court before our order of temporary suspension. Moreover, nothing in the Special Commissioner’s report this Court adopted as its own to support the order of temporary suspension mentioned, much less relied upon, prior disciplinary history. Nothing in the Special Commissioner’s report suggests that Goldy’s conduct towards Helton was part of a general pattern with multiple persons. The pending charge of one count of violating SCR 3.130(4.2) is predicated on Goldy’s conduct toward Helton. In short, the facts in this record only support the conclusion that Goldy’s conduct, while occurring over a seven-year period, was isolated to just one person; and this conduct was bound up with Goldy’s position as a Commonwealth’s Attorney.”
The Order states further:
“Therefore, good cause has been shown by a change in circumstances to conclude there is no longer probable cause to believe Goldy poses a substantial threat to his clients or the public. We caution, however, that nothing in this order should be interpreted as pre-judging or anticipating the conclusions of the Trial Commissioner regarding the pending charge against Goldy, or the recommendation of the Board of Governors on that charge. We remind the parties that this Court possesses the authority to impose discipline as it determines is appropriate, should it ultimately be concluded that Goldy has violated SCR 3.130(4.2). SCR 3.380; KBA v. Myers, 457 S.W.3d 725, 726 (Ky. 2015) (“[T]he Trial Commissioner’s Report is advisory. . . .”)”
In conclusion, the temporary suspension of attorney Ronnie L. Goldy, Jr., from the practice of law is dissolved.
Mr. Goldy is a member of the Kentucky State Bar. He practices in Morehead, Kentucky. He is licensed in the District of Kentucky. His info can be found on lawyersjustia.com.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
