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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Wisc. Attorney Disbarred in Blagojevich Fallout

(CN) - A federal corruption probe of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration has led to the disbarment of Wisconsin attorney P. Nicholas Hurtgen.

Hurtgen sent a petition to the Wisconsin Supreme Court stating that he cannot defend himself against charges of professional misconduct.

Hurtgen pleaded guilty to a charge of aiding and abetting wire fraud. He was senior managing director of the Chicago office of Bear Stearns, an investment bank that did business with Edward Hospital.

He was charged in connection with a "pay-to-play" scheme involving the construction of hospitals in Illinois as part of the long-running Blagojevich investigation.

The plan was that the hospital would only have its building permits approved if it hired a certain construction company and provided a kickback to its owner. However, the hospital was cooperating with the FBI, and the plan was foiled.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court responded by revoking Hurtgen's license to practice law.

"Hurtgen was not acting as an attorney when he engaged in this scheme, but his participation in this scheme reflects serious misconduct that violates the public's trust," the justices wrote.

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