PORT ANGELES — David Fox, a Port Angeles attorney and a political candidate in the past, has been disbarred for misconduct.
The state Supreme Court entered a March 13 order for disbarment, which became official Wednesday.
The Washington State Bar Association Disciplinary Board charged Fox with 11 counts of misconduct while he was defending two male clients — aged 22 and 26 — from February 2010 to May 2010.
Attempts to reach Fox on Saturday were unsuccessful.
According to a formal complaint filed by the disciplinary counsel, Fox was alleged to have pressured the 22-year-old into having sex, taking advantage of his emotional vulnerability, using drugs with the client and asking the client for money to buy drugs.
Fox allowed the client to live in his home for free and provided other gifts, according to the complaint.
He was also accused of knowingly writing bad checks, tampering with evidence and failing to cooperate with the bar association’s investigation.
Fox also was charged with “abusing his position as a lawyer” to gain access to the 26-year-old for sexual purposes in a jail visitation cell and filing unsupported allegations against Clallam County Superior Court Judge George L. Wood.
The 26-year-old client told authorities in May 2010 that Fox masturbated in front of him in the attorney-client booth at the Clallam County jail and coerced him into showing his genitals.
The client also alleged that Fox brought him cigarettes, methadone and other drugs during several late-night visits during a four-month span.
In June 2010, Fox was arrested at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport for investigation of possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, possession of a restricted drug without a prescription and driving while intoxicated.
Fox withdrew from the race for Clallam County prosecuting attorney in 2010.
He then ran unsuccessfully for Congress that same year from the Spokane-based 5th Congressional District.
He ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the Clallam County Board of Commissioners in 2008.