OKLAHOMA CITY — Former Oklahoma County judge, Tammy Bass-Lesure is facing even more legal problems.
She plead guilty to two fraud charges last month.
The state said she accepted money for fostering two young children, who were in someone else’s care the entire time.
Bass-Lesure was sentenced to three years probation and agreed to never seek public office in Oklahoma again.
But now, her law license is also in jeopardy.
The Oklahoma Bar Association filed with the supreme court to have Bass-Lesure’s law license suspended.
The supreme court granted what’s called an immediate interim suspension, but it has not been decided yet if the suspension will be permanent.
Legal analyst David McKenzie said the supreme court could take a wide variety of actions against Bass-Lesure.
“They can give her a private censure, public censure, they could suspend her for a period of time or she could be disbarred.”
If she is disbarred, it would likely mean she could not practice law anywhere.
Other states would be aware of the action against her in Oklahoma.
“I don’t know what her plans are for the future. But she’s got a tough road ahead of her as far as if she ever wants to practice law again,” McKenzie said.
McKenzie said from what he’s seen, the supreme court is pretty tough on judges who get in trouble.
He cited another high profile judge case, Judge Donald Thompson, who was convicted of indecent exposure for using a sexual device in court.
He was ultimately disbarred.
McKenzie said this could also affect Bass-Lesure’s retirement.
“If you use your authority as a judge to take advantage or to commit a crime, that you’re going to be disqualified from getting your retirement.”
Bass-Lesure has until April 11 to file something showing why the suspension should not be permanent.
The Bar Association then has until later this month to respond.
Both Bass-Lesure and her attorneys declined to comment.