CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) - A judge has recommended permanent disbarment for three Tampa lawyers accused of orchestrating the DUI arrest of a rival attorney.
Senior Pinellas Judge W. Douglas Baird issued his recommendation Thursday. He previously ruled the attorneys' actions violated Florida Bar rules. The case will go to the Florida Supreme Court for a final decision.
Stephen Diaco, Robert Adams and Adam Filthaut represented a radio host named Bubba The Love Sponge Clem in a defamation lawsuit brought by another rival radio host, Todd "MJ" Schnitt.
Schnitt was represented by lawyer Phil Campbell. He was charged with DUI in January 2013, during the trial. The Florida Bar said that Diaco, Adams and Filthaut set Campbell up and used a paralegal and a Tampa police officer to help.
