Former Lake County Prosecutor Faces Disbarment in Wake of Drug Scandal

Aaron Isaacson, a former Lake County Prosecutor, faces possible disbarment after he was implicated in his roommate’s drug dealing operation.

In 2009, Isaacson’s roommate was arrested for delivering 23 lbs of marijuana to a customer. The roommate is currently serving a prison sentence of 12 years.

Isaacson initially denied his involvement in the drug operation, but eventually agreed to cooperate in exchange for all criminal charges being dropped. According to his roommate, Isaacson helped deliver drugs to customers, and was well aware of regular drug deals that occurred in the home.

Though Isaacson faces no criminal charges, he may well lose his law license because of his involvement in the drug operation. Last month, an Illinois disciplinary panel ruled that Isaacson should be disbarred stating that he showed “an utter disregard for his responsibilities to uphold the law.” The final decision on Isaacson’s disbarment will be made by the Illinois Supreme Court.

Sean Sullivan Comments

As a member of the legal community, I would defiantly agree that this person should lose their law license. It is clear this lawyer knowingly violated the law repeatedly, and then sought to continue to prosecute others for crimes they committed. This behavior is the very definition of hypocrisy.

It would be one thing if this was a one-time mistake such as a first time DUI or some kind of assault charge. Mistakes happen, and anyone can screw up and do something stupid. Lawyers are like anyone else, and should not necessarily lose their license for a momentary lapse in judgment. Clearly though this lawyer felt that the law didn’t apply to him. No one is above the law.

 

Related Sources:

Chicagotribune.com

Chicago Police Find 2 Football Fields Worth of Marijuana

This week Chicago police reportedly found massive fields of marijuana on the south side of the city.

The marijuana fields were the size of two football fields, with a total estimated value of $7-10 million – the largest cannabis crop ever discovered in Chicago. The area was concealed by thick brush right off of the Bishop Ford Freeway. A police helicopter discovered the fields during a flyover.

The plants had been growing for 4-6 months and had an average height of six feet. Police also found a small camp with a sleeping bag and food.

So far, no arrests have been made. Officers are still trying to pin down who owns the land.

Attorney Commentary from Brett Appelman

Whoever owns the land that these plants were found on will have a lot of explaining to do to the police.  The owner can claim that he or she did not know about the massive pot farm growing on their land, but it will be a hard sell.

Clearly whoever is found responsible for these plants will be facing charges of Cannabis Possession, as well as Possession with Intent to Deliver, also known as Dealing.  In Illinois anytime you possess pot, or any drug for that matter, you can be charged with Intent to Deliver if the prosecutor can show that the drugs were not intended for your own personal use.  If you possess thousands of pot plants, you clearly were not keeping them solely for personal use.

 

Related Sources:

myfoxchicago.com

5 Men Face Felony Drug Charges after Lake in the Hills Drug Bust

Five men are facing felony drug charges after police raided a Lake in the Hills home and found $4,500 worth of heroin, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

Specifically, police found and seized 15.2 grams of heroin, 2.5 grams of marijuana, as well as syringes, scales, and grinders.

The five men are being charged with drug possession with the intent to deliver. One of the men had an existing warrant for a felony drug charge at the time of arrest.

“These guys are in serious trouble,” says Illinois Drug Defense Attorney, Brett Appelman. “They are facing Class X Felonies which can carry up to 30 years in prison.  Those in this group with prior criminal records could have their sentences enhanced and be sent away for up to 60 years. Typically these types of cases can be negotiated down, with the defendants agreeing to plead Guilty to a lesser charge. If a plea deal is made in this case I would expect the charges to be lowered enough so that the defendants with no criminal history might only get 2 or 3 years in prison, and those with some history might get anywhere up to five years.”
 

Related Sources:

nwherald.com