{news} Nancy Burton in New Haven Register

[David Bedell]

http://www.nhregister.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=17155766
Green candidate says disbarment not a problem

Wed 09/06/06
by Gregory B. Hladky
New Haven Register

HARTFORD — Nancy Burton, a disbarred lawyer running as the Green Party’s 
candidate for state attorney general, kicked off her campaign Tuesday by 
saying she could be reinstated to the bar in time to be sworn in if she 
wins.

There is no Connecticut law banning a disbarred lawyer from running for 
attorney general, but state election law does require that an attorney 
general must be a qualified member of the bar with at least 10 years 
experience.

Burton, who conceded that she’s a "long shot" candidate, said her five-year 
disbarment will be up before just before the vote in November.

"Theoretically, I could be readmitted (to the Connecticut bar) in time to be 
sworn in as attorney general (in January)," said Burton, who said she 
continues to hold a license to practice law in New York.

In 2001, Burton was disbarred by former state Superior Court Judge A. 
William Mottolese over her alleged conduct in a land development case. 
Burton claimed Mottolese was biased against her and her clients and appealed 
the decision to the state Supreme Court. She was allowed to continue 
practicing law while appealing his decision.

The state Supreme Court upheld Mottolese’s ruling that Burton had failed to 
properly represent her clients, that she had a pattern of misconduct and 
prior disciplinary actions against her and had made unsubstantiated 
allegations of bias against him.

Burton insists that her two previous reprimands by the Statewide Grievance 
Committee were unfair and that both rulings by Mottolese and the state 
Supreme Court were the result of her social activism and her attempts to 
root out judicial corruption.

"Why would an attorney risk professional suicide by filing unfounded charges 
against judges?" said Burton. "I hope to cleanse and purge the system of 
misconduct."

Burton is a longtime social activist and public interest lawyer from Redding 
who said her major goals as state attorney general would be to close the 
Millstone nuclear power plant and to "clean up corruption" in the state 
judiciary.

Burton noted that a state hearing has been scheduled for today concerning 
allegations that former state Chief Justice William Sullivan engaged in 
misconduct in attempting to help a close judicial colleague succeed him as 
head of the state Supreme Court.

The Republican candidate for attorney general, state Rep. Robert Farr of 
West Hartford, joked that Burton’s past disciplinary problems could make her 
"well qualified as a candidate."

"She’s decided to go into politics — a field where you don’t have to have 
any merit to your charges," said Farr. He said he has no problem with Burton 
being in the race while she is disbarred.

The incumbent Democrat in the race, Richard Blumenthal of Greenwich, 
declined to comment on Burton’s status.

Gregory B. Hladky can be contacted at ghladky@ nhregister.com or (860) 
524-0719.

©New Haven Register 2006