The Kentucky Supreme Court Thursday rendered a Kentucky Bar Association disciplinary opinion against local attorney Sands Chewning, who accepted a deal in 2017 in Christian Circuit Court to plead guilty to an eavesdropping related charge.
The order signed by Chief Justice John Minton spells out that Chewning moved for consensual discipline in June and the negotiated agreement means an order imposing a 30 day suspension will be probated for two years, on the condition he attends and completes the next scheduled ethics and professionalism enhancement program and receive no new disciplinary actions during those two years.
He must also pay the costs of his proceedings.
The order details the Chewning criminal case, noting his office provided a voice activated recording device to a woman that was sewed into the waistband of her grandchild’s clothes. Chewning’s client was seeking full custody of the child and recordings gathered by the device were used to gain an advantage for the grandmother he represented, according to the order.
Chewning had to pay a $500 fine in 2017 after pleading guilty to criminal attempt to commit eavesdropping.
In the KBA inquiry, Chewning admits two violations—one for how evidence was collected and another for professional misconduct.
Chewning can continue practicing law during his probationary period, so long as he doesn’t violate conditions of the agreement.