State bar orders alleged misconduct hearing for prosecutor

The Washington State Bar Association Disciplinary Board has ordered a public hearing on alleged misconduct by the Pierce County prosecutor.

The News Tribune reported Friday that the board issued the decision last week over Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist’s appearance on the Nancy Grace television show during which he commented about a defendant’s potential guilt in the midst of a trial.

Lindquist’s attorney, Steven Fogg, had argued for dismissal of the complaint and at most, an advisory letter.

The bar association’s committee voted unanimously to order the hearing, which will examine whether Lindquist violated rules of professional conduct.

In a separate case Thurston County Superior Court Judge Chris Lanese ordered Lindquist on Thursday to turn over 19 text messages for a private, in-camera review to determine whether they qualify as public records in a long-running public records fight with a former sheriff’s detective.

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Information from: The News Tribune, http://www.thenewstribune.com