An ethics complaint has been lodged against Hunter Biden’s high-profile lawyer in Hollywood due to his unconventional “sugar brother” relationship with the son of the Democratic president. The complaint, filed by America First Legal (AFL) with the State Bar of California, accuses attorney Patrick Kevin Morris of potentially violating California’s bar rules by excessively spending on Hunter Biden. AFL, a conservative legal organization established by former senior adviser to the Trump White House, Stephen Miller, submitted the complaint on Tuesday.
It alleges that Morris breached the rule that prohibits lawyers from financially supporting the lifestyle of a client or potential client. This complaint comes just before Morris is scheduled to provide closed-door testimony to the House Oversight Committee on Thursday.
It has been reported that Morris spent a staggering $4.9 million to support the president’s son. This amount includes a $2 million loan to help Hunter settle his outstanding taxes and $875,000 used to purchase artwork created by Hunter Biden.
Morris has been said to cover the expenses for Hunter’s extravagant Los Angeles mansion, which is estimated to cost $20,000 per month. According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, Morris’s connection with Hunter Biden is primarily as his lawyer, but he also serves as his friend, confidant, and financial supporter.
Furthermore, during Hunter Biden’s unexpected visit to Capitol Hill last week, he was accompanied by Morris and his attorney, Abbe Lowell.
The America First Legal complaint asserts that if Mr. Morris has indeed given personal funds to an individual who is now confirmed as a client, or someone who reasonably perceives themselves as Mr. Morris’s client, he would have contravened both the explicit provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct and the long-standing conventions of the legal field.
According to reports, Morris had allegedly been slated to participate in a recorded interview with both the House Oversight and Accountability Committee and the House Judiciary Committee during this week. This interview was intended to be a crucial component of the official impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, focusing on potential involvement or advantages gained from alleged influence peddling by his family members, including his son.
Specifically, State Bar of California Rule 1.8.5(a), states that “[a]lawyer shall not directly or indirectly pay or agree to pay, guarantee, or represent that the lawyer or lawyer’s law firm will pay the personal or business expenses of a prospective or existing client.”
The complaint says:
“If Hunter Biden or a similarly situated person would reasonably anticipate that Mr. Morris was obligated to provide legal services, the alleged funding of the lifestyle of a client or potential client justifies the immediate opening of a misconduct investigation under Rule 1.8.5.”
Lowell has served as the legal representative for Hunter Biden, speaking on his behalf on various occasions, including Capitol Hill.
The Times story also says:
“Morris strode shoulder to shoulder with the president’s son as they made a surprise appearance at a congressional contempt hearing on Capitol Hill.
“On Thursday, he is expected to be seated behind him in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom as Hunter Biden is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday on criminal tax charges, much as he did in a Delaware courtroom.”
The State Bar of California has neither confirmed nor denied the existence of an ongoing investigation.
“By law, disciplinary investigations are confidential, unless confidentiality is waived pursuant to the provisions of Business and Professions Code section 6086.1(b) or (c),” a state bar spokesman said in a statement.
