EXCLUSIVE: Bill Cosby's ex lawyer Monique Pressley has been suspended indefinitely for 'disability' after she faced disbarment amid claims she misappropriated funds for personal use and transferred thousands into husband's overdrawn account
Monique Pressley became well-known for her appearances as a legal contributor across news networks where she launched a vigorous defense for Cosby when she represented him before quitting his legal team in 2016.
Since then, the self-described Democratic strategist has frequently appeared as a legal analyst on Fox News.
But in August, DailyMail.com can reveal that Pressley was suspended from practicing law in Washington D.C. 'based on disability' a month after an investigation from a disciplinary counsel said it had presented 'clear and convicting evidence' of her misconduct and recommended that she be disbarred.
It is unclear if the order of suspension based on disability came as a result of the committee findings.
Three former clients of Pressley's had accused her of taking retainers and quickly depleting the funds on personal expenditures without doing any significant work, then would ask for even more money.
Instead of keeping the money in an escrow account as she was supposed to, Pressley is accused of cashing the checks, having money directly deposited into her husband's overdrawn business account and even driving a client to a bank to pay her in cash.
And a $15,000 payment that did wind up into an escrow account was wiped from the account within a matter of days because Pressley either transferred the money elsewhere or took cash withdraws from it, legal papers state.
Pressley declined to comment when contacted by DailyMail.com.
In the hearing committee's report, Pressley was accused of showing 'a consistent disregard for the disciplinary process.'
Despite being served with a 'specification of charges' in July of 2018 and again in October 2018, Pressley never filed 'an answer to charges brought against her despite being given several opportunities to do so.'
She also never showed up to hearings. The report states: 'She engaged in a pattern of dilatory tactics at every step of the process.'
First complaint: Pressley made fellow church member feel 'victimized' after taking $8k and having her husband work the case - despite him not being a lawyer
The first complaint against Pressley came from Edwin and Paula Amaker, a couple Pressley and her husband Carlton knew from church where they both served as elder members.
- Monique Pressley was suspended from practicing law in Washington D.C. in August, DailyMail.com can reveal
- Pressley became well-known for her appearances as a legal contributor across news networks and had represented Bill Cosby in his sex assault case
- She was suspended 'based on disability' a month after a disciplinary counsel presented 'clear and convicting evidence' of her alleged misconduct
- It is unclear if the order of suspension based on disability came as a result of the committee findings
- Three former clients of Pressley's accused her of taking retainers and quickly depleting the funds on personal expenditures without doing any significant work
- Instead of keeping the money in an escrow account, Pressley cashed the checks and had money deposited into her husband's account, the counsel claimed
- She is accused of driving a client to the bank to pay her $2,400 in cash
- A $15k payment that did go into an escrow account was wiped from the account within days, because Pressley transferred the money elsewhere, papers state
- A former client of Pressley's, who she knew from church, said she was 'blindsided' by the lawyer and felt 'victimized' by someone she 'utterly trusted'
- In the hearing committee's report, Pressley was accused of showing 'a consistent disregard for the disciplinary process'
Monique Pressley became well-known for her appearances as a legal contributor across news networks where she launched a vigorous defense for Cosby when she represented him before quitting his legal team in 2016.
Since then, the self-described Democratic strategist has frequently appeared as a legal analyst on Fox News.
But in August, DailyMail.com can reveal that Pressley was suspended from practicing law in Washington D.C. 'based on disability' a month after an investigation from a disciplinary counsel said it had presented 'clear and convicting evidence' of her misconduct and recommended that she be disbarred.
It is unclear if the order of suspension based on disability came as a result of the committee findings.
Three former clients of Pressley's had accused her of taking retainers and quickly depleting the funds on personal expenditures without doing any significant work, then would ask for even more money.
Instead of keeping the money in an escrow account as she was supposed to, Pressley is accused of cashing the checks, having money directly deposited into her husband's overdrawn business account and even driving a client to a bank to pay her in cash.
And a $15,000 payment that did wind up into an escrow account was wiped from the account within a matter of days because Pressley either transferred the money elsewhere or took cash withdraws from it, legal papers state.
Pressley declined to comment when contacted by DailyMail.com.
In the hearing committee's report, Pressley was accused of showing 'a consistent disregard for the disciplinary process.'
Despite being served with a 'specification of charges' in July of 2018 and again in October 2018, Pressley never filed 'an answer to charges brought against her despite being given several opportunities to do so.'
She also never showed up to hearings. The report states: 'She engaged in a pattern of dilatory tactics at every step of the process.'
First complaint: Pressley made fellow church member feel 'victimized' after taking $8k and having her husband work the case - despite him not being a lawyer
The first complaint against Pressley came from Edwin and Paula Amaker, a couple Pressley and her husband Carlton knew from church where they both served as elder members.
