By: Brian Crecente (Art by Fahey)

Last week's flurry of activity surrounding Jack and the Florida Bar isn't something new. It seems that the two have had quite a number of run-ins over the years.

Way back in 2005, intrigued by Jack's petulant attitude and seemingly unprofessional behavior in the court room and in front of television cameras, I contacted the bar to see what sorts of things that had on file about MR. T.

I only received two complaints back because under their interpretation of state law they argued they only had to provide me with closed cases. I've never really had a reason to post about them, but in light of this latest investigation I feel they could make for good reading material. Hit the jump for summaries of both cases as well as all of the scanned documents from the cases, for your reading pleasure. I've also gotten my paws on a PDF of the most recent complaint, all 40 pages of it. Brian Crecente

The Florida Bar v. John Bruce Thompson

Case No: SC07-80
Florida Bar File Nos: 2005-70,305; 2005-71,125; 2006-70,570;2006-70,766;2006-70,909
Date: 2006
Outcome: Still proceeding.
Summary: This case is about a number of alleged infractions on Thompson's part, in a number of different cases, but most of them dealt with his deft touch in an Alabama civil case.
After being allowed to represent the plaintiffs in an Alabama civil case surrounding the murder of two police officers and a radio dispatcher in Fayette, the court found that Thompson filed a complaint before getting that permission. The judge also found that Thompson spoke about the case outside of the court, sent letters to the court and "engaged in conduct that adversely reflects on his fitness to practice law." That included harassment, lying and intimidation, according to the judge.
Best Thompsonism: In a letter to the judge: "I was in your courtroom Judge, and I felt like Alice in Wonderland must have felt. It's okay for Mr. Smith to act like a Mafia thug, but it's unethical for me to point out the thuggery. What in Hell, literally, is going on here? This is utter, utter nonsense, and you're watching it, Judge."
Names the judge was called: knucklhead, bizarre, childish, improper, a player, a witness, an out-of-control tyrant
Names he called himself: A slithering snake, a pig slop
The full record: Download PDF here.

The Florida Bar v. John Bruce Thompson

Case No: None
Florida Bar File Nos: 2005-71,051
Date: May, 5, 2005
Outcome: No probable cause found because the Supreme Court of Ohio issued a finding that there was no evidence that Thompson engaged in the practice of law in their state.
Summary: In March, 2005, an Adams County, Ohio Special Assistant Prosecuting Attorney filed a complaint with the Florida Bar alleging that Thompson tried to inject himself in a case there despite not having an Ohio-license and being told by the judge he couldn't. He also continued to tell people he was representing the family in the case, despite the order, according to the allegation.
The Ohio attorney goes on to detail a laundry list of accusations including seeking publicity in the trial, lying, being disrespectful, being unprofessional and sending improper letters to others involved in the case.
Despite the fact that the Ohio State Supreme Court, and the judge presiding over the case, found that Thompson never practiced any law in the case, many publications, including Game Politics, Gamespot and the Columbus Dispatch reported that he would represent the family of Gail Knisley, shot and killed in November 2003 by Charles A. McCoy Jr., an avid gamer, while she drove on an interstate in the Columbus area.
Best Thompsonism: In a letter to the the Florida Bar's chief branch discipline counsel: "You can see in the correspondence the three cases in Ohio that prove I was no more practicing law in Ohio than I was playing centerfield for the Cleveland Indians."
...
"Maybe he can conjure up some kind of cause of action against Ohio-based Bob Evans Farm Sausage for my illicit use of ham on my fists. This is the first time I can recall a Bar complaint that brings pigs into the discussion."
Names he calls others: a liar, thin-skinned, big fish in a little pond, blind, unprofessional, childish, ham-fisted.
Names he called himself: A center fielder for the Cleveland Indians, illegal user of... hams... on his... fists?
The full record: Click on images for the full-sized page.

The Florida Bar v. John Bruce Thompson

Case No: 78,765 and 79,339
Florida Bar File Nos: 89-71,062;89-71,416
Date: Oct. 1, 1992
Outcome: Guilty plea. Public reprimand for professional misconduct and $3,000 for costs.
Summary: This record was on the verge of being deep-sixed when I rescued it from the Florida Bar. Unfortunately, it is very light on details. All I can gather is that Thompson was accused of, and later admitted to, trying to get someone to hire him as a lawyer after the person already had one. He also admits to not doing an adequate pre-filing investigation in an unnamed case.
Best Thompsonism: Document is just a summary and totally lacking in quotes.
Names the judge was called: Document is just a summary and totally lacking in quotes.
Names he called himself: Document is just a summary and totally lacking in quotes.
The full record: Click on images for the full-sized page.

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