Discipline Notice - Eric R. Vargas

License Number: 20364
Member Name: Eric R. Vargas
Discipline Detail
Action: Suspension
Effective Date: 1/4/2006
RPC: 8.4 (b) - Criminal Act
Discipline Notice:
Description: Eric R. Vargas (WSBA No. 20364, admitted 1991), of Yakima, was suspended from the practice of law for two years, effective January 4, 2006, by order of the Washington State Supreme Court following a stipulation. This discipline was based on his conduct in 2004 and 2005 involving violations of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act.

In December 2005, Mr. Vargas pleaded guilty in Benton County Superior Court to two felony counts of unlawful possession of controlled substances in violation of RCW 69.50.4013(1). In 2004, Mr. Vargas purchased morphine from a woman he met after giving an elder law talk at the Kennewick Senior Center. In 2005, he purchased Percocet from the same woman while assisting her with a bankruptcy petition. She contacted the police, who tape-recorded the second transaction.

Mr. Vargas’s conduct violated RPC 8.4(b), prohibiting a lawyer from committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects.

Linda B. Eide represented the Bar Association. Kenneth S. Kagan represented Mr. Vargas.


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