By Josh James
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-987280.mp3
Lexington, KY – A Lexington attorney has become the fourth attorney disbarred due to his involvement in a class-action lawsuit brought against the diet drug fen-phen.
David Helmers had his law license revoked today after the Kentucky Supreme Court cited serious ethical violations in his conduct. He's also been ordered to pay $40,000 to cover the cost of the disciplinary proceedings against him.
Three other attorneys have been disbarred, and two jailed, for their roles in the scheme to bilk clients suing over alleged injuries caused by the diet drug fen-phen out of millions of dollars in settlement money. The court found that, while Helmers wasn't the mastermind of the plan, he did follow the lead of several more experienced attorneys.
A case against a fifth attorney involved in the scandal, Stanley Casey, is currently pending.
