Batcheller v. Iowa State Hgwy. Comm‪.‬

This lawyer disciplinary matter is before us for de novo review in accordance with Iowa Supreme Court rule 118.10. The respondent, John Romeo, Sr., stands convicted of two counts of record tampering in violation of Iowa Code section 715A.5 (1993). These convictions led the Iowa Supreme Court Board of Professional Ethics and Conduct to charge Romeo with violating the following sections of the Iowa Code of Professional Responsibility: DR 1-102(A)(1), (3), (4), (5), and (6), and DR 7-102(A)(6) and (7). In admissions filed with the board, and in his testimony before the grievance commission, Romeo conceded his conduct violated these canons. In mitigation of any sanction, however, he offered his own explanation of the facts surrounding the crime as well as evidence bearing on his fitness to practice law.