Posted on: Friday, January 28, 2005

Court puts Aduja's law career on hold

Advertiser Staff

The Hawai'i Supreme Court yesterday suspended former state Sen. Melodie Aduja from the practice of law for three years for violating ethical rules governing lawyers.

The high court said "it appears that respondent Aduja mishandled her client trust account and that such mishandling resulted in multiple violations" of the Hawai'i Rules of Professional Conduct.

The court said such misconduct warrants disbarment, but indicated "strong mitigating circumstances" warranted the lighter penalty of a suspension.

Aduja, who represented the Kane'ohe-Kahuku area before losing her re-election bid last year, said yesterday she believes the suspension is "harsh in light of the relatively minor infraction."

"My clients suffered no harm, and I believe I served them well," she said. "Nevertheless, I will abide by the Supreme Court decision and put this behind me."

Carole Richelieu, chief disciplinary counsel, said Aduja's violations include transactions in 1999 and 2000 involving her client trust account. Richelieu said they included Aduja mixing her own money with client's money, not depositing the client's money and using that money for her own benefit.

Richelieu said the violations were not related to Aduja's campaign money or her role as a state legislator.

The suspension takes effect 30 days from yesterday.

Aduja last year agreed to pay a $9,100 fine to the state Campaign Commission for not providing receipts for campaign checks to her former husband and for not disclosing a loan.