Former congressman, ex-Bartholomew County prosecutor suspended
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A former U.S. congressman from Indiana and an ex-Bartholomew County prosecutor have been suspended from practicing law in the state, according to orders issued Friday by the Indiana Supreme Court.
Stephen Buyer, who served in Congress from 1993 through 2011, is currently in federal prison after being found guilty of misappropriating secrets he learned as a consultant to make $350,000 illegally.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York announced in September that Buyer was sentenced to 22 months in prison after being convicted of four counts of securities fraud for engaging in two insider trading schemes.
The Indiana high court ordered the interim suspension of Buyer for being found guilty of a crime punishable as a felony.
Former Bartholomew County prosecutor William Nash pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and harassment in March 2023 after a dispute with his neighbor regarding their respective pets.
Nash, who was the elected Bartholomew County prosecutor at the time, was accused of threatening his neighbors, including telling them, “Indiana state law says I can kill you.”
He also reportedly taunted his neighbor more than once to call the police, stating at one point, “the last time I checked I am still the chief law enforcement officer until December 31, so go ahead and call the cops!”
After a Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission investigation, Nash was found to have violated Indiana Professional Conduct Rules for committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness or fitness and engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.
Nash’s 30-day law license suspension begins May 16.
Buyer and Nash were among four attorneys receiving suspensions of varying lengths from the Supreme Court on Friday.
Among the others were was Quentin Cantrell, who was sentenced to 12 months of probation, including six days of intermittent confinement, for misdemeanor counts of entering and remaining in a restricted building and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021.
The high court ordered Cantrell’s current suspension to be converted to an indefinite suspension, due to noncooperation with the disciplinary process.
Cantrell must cure the causes of all suspensions in effect and successfully petition for reinstatement to be readmitted to practice law, according to the order.
Also, Andrew J. Jacobs of Indianapolis was suspended for noncooperation with the disciplinary commission. He had already been suspended for continuing legal education noncompliance and dues nonpayment.
Jacobs must also reimburse the disciplinary commission $534.60 for the costs of prosecuting the proceeding.