Nevada Bar moves to punish lawyer Brian Bloomfield in wake of criminal convictions

The State Bar of Nevada has filed a complaint seeking further disciplinary action against suspended defense lawyer Brian Bloomfield in light of his guilty plea in an extensive courthouse counseling scheme.

The complaint cites the four criminal charges — two felonies and two gross misdemeanors — that Bloomfield pleaded guilty to in December 2013.

His admitted criminal wrongdoing in the scheme violated 13 State Bar rules of professional conduct, including one that involves a lawyer’s “honesty, trustworthiness or fitness to practice,” the complaint says.

In June, the Nevada Supreme Court issued an order temporarily suspending Bloomfield, and Bar Counsel David Clark said further sanctions could result in Bloomfield’s disbarment.

The bar’s Southern Nevada Disciplinary Board now must set a hearing to act on the complaint and recommend punishment to the Supreme Court.

Bloomfield a member of the State Bar since 2003, and his lawyer William Terry filed papers with the Bar denying professional misconduct.

Though he pleaded guilty 15 months ago, Bloomfield has yet to be sentenced because he cooperated with county prosecutors and agreed to testify against the other defendants, one of whom is still waiting to be tried. Prosecutors have to be satisfied with the extent of his cooperation before he can be sentenced.

The criminal case against Bloomfield dates to December 2011, when he, former counseling service owner Steven Brox and juvenile probation officer Robert Chiodini were charged in a 52-count indictment.

They were accused of providing prostitutes and other defendants with phony certificates of completion for court-ordered counseling and community service to resolve misdemeanor cases in Las Vegas Justice Court. The scheme occurred between February 2008 and May 2010,

Weeks later, the names of Bloomfield’s wife, Amber McDearmon, and former bail bondsman Thomas Jaskol were added to a superseding indictment that included new allegations they conspired with Bloomfield to destroy evidence.

All of the other defendants but Brox have pleaded guilty. He is to stand trial April 20.

Contact reporter Jeff German at jgerman@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-8135. Find him on Twitter: @JGermanRJ.