OLR wants full costs assessed against Portage attorney

Listen to this article

The Office of Lawyer Regulation wants a Portage attorney to pay for the full cost of his disciplinary proceeding.

The OLR had charged Steven Sarbacker last year with five counts of misconduct, including failing to turn over money owed to a client from the garnishment of a third party’s wages, and punching and pointing a shotgun at a man — an allegation that led to three criminal misdemeanor charges.

Sarbacker reached a stipulation with the OLR, agreeing to the charges of misconduct. However, he disputed the OLR’s request that his law license be suspended for 60 days. Rather, Sarbacker contended his behavior warranted a public reprimand.

The referee in the case, James Boll, disagreed with Sarbacker in a report filed on May 25 and found the 60-day suspension was appropriate.

The OLR submitted a statement of costs last week, requesting that the referee recommend that Sarbacker pay the cost of the proceeding, which was $1,375.83. That amount includes $966 in counsel fees and disbursements, $391.08 in referee’s fees and $18.75 to the Sauk County Clerk of Court for copies.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court will review Boll’s recommendations and issue a final disciplinary order.