Pubdate: Mon, 29 Mar 2010
Source: Billings Gazette, The (MT)
Copyright: 2010 The Billings Gazette
Contact:  http://www.billingsgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/515
Author: Clair Johnson

EX-PROSECUTOR EDDLEMAN DISBARRED FOR COCAINE CONVICTION

Former Carbon County Attorney Robert L. Eddleman, who is serving a 
federal prison sentence for a drug conviction, has been disbarred by 
the Montana Supreme Court.

The justices unanimously agreed to disbar Eddleman in an order issued 
March 9. The panel accepted the recommendation of the Commission on 
Practice, which said Eddleman should be disbarred "for his breach of 
ethical duties," the order said.

Disbarred lawyers can petition for reinstatement after five years.

Eddleman, 52, is serving a two and one-half year sentence for 
conspiracy to maintain premises for cocaine distribution. Eddleman is 
in a minimum security prison in Duluth, Minn. His release date is May 
15, 2011, federal Bureau of Prisons records said.

Eddleman and his fiancee, Terri Jabs Kurth, of Billings, pleaded 
guilty a year ago to conspiring to make cocaine available to friends 
at their homes in Red Lodge and Billings. Kurth was sentenced to 
eight months in prison, fined $10,000 and forfeited $50,000.

The case was part of a larger cocaine conspiracy that brought at 
least 11 pounds of cocaine to the community beginning in 2004, 
prosecutors said. Eight others also have been convicted in the case, 
including Domingo Baez, 40, who was the local dealer and who sold 
cocaine to Eddleman and Kurth.

Under the system established by the state Supreme Court, the Office 
of Disciplinary Counsel investigates and prosecutes complaints 
against lawyers. The Commission on Practice hears cases and makes 
disciplinary recommendations to the high court.

The commission submitted its findings and recommendations on Eddleman 
to the Supreme Court in January. No objections were filed.

Eddleman resigned on March 10, 2009, as part of a plea agreement with 
federal prosecutors. He had been on leave without pay since his 
indictment in December 2008. The commission suspended Eddleman from 
practice after he pleaded guilty.

Eddleman was appointed Carbon County attorney in June 2006 to fill a 
vacancy, then ran for the office and won. Earlier, Eddleman was an 
unsuccessful state Supreme Court candidate, served as the Stillwater 
County attorney, worked in private practice and was a staff attorney 
with the Yellowstone County Public Defender Office.
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