HEARING HELD ON GARY GEORGE LICENSE REINSTATEMENT

Special to the Readers of Milwaukeeworld

By Michael Horne

And the Milwaukee World Hound Dog Team

Former state Sen. Gary R. George, [U Michigan '79] whose license to practice law was suspended for four years and three months retroactive to April 1, 2004 following his guilty plea to federal corruption charges, wants to become a lawyer again.
A Hearing on Petition for Reinstatement was held yesterday, Monday, December 8th, 2008 at the Milwaukee State Office Building before Referee James Winiarski [U Wisconsin '74].
Retained Counsel Thomas J. Basting, Sr. [U Wisconsin '62] appearing for the state, said on Tuesday that the case "will be continued for the lawyers to file arguments" in favor and in opposition to the reinstatement petition. He said the referee will then forward his report and recommendation with the Supreme Court, which is charged with the authority of making a decision in the matter. Basting said the referee's decision should come "within 30 to 60 days."
George's license was summarily suspended by the court on April 1st, 2004 on entry of his guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to commit offenses against federal program funds in violation of 18 U.S.C. section 371. George was released from prison in August, 2007, but remains under a three year term of extended supervision. George kept himself busy during his confinement, even managing to be named as an unindicted co-conspirator in a plot to overthrow the government of Laos, remarkably enough.
Certainly a man with such global aspirations could not possibly carry them out without benefit of a Wisconsin law license.
To get it back, George has the burden "of substantiating by clear, satisfactory and convincing evidence that

• (a) he has the moral character to practice law in Wisconsin
• (b) his resumption of the practice of law will not be detrimental to the administration of justice or subversive of the public interest
• (c) all of his representations in his reinstatement petition are substantiated
• (d) he has complied fully with the terms of the order of suspension or revocation"

George and his co-conspirator, Mark Sostarich, [U Wisconsin '78] engaged in a systematic looting of the treasury of the Opportunities Industrialization Center of Greater Milwaukee (OIC), netting hundreds of thousands of dollars in their scheme. Sostarich got his license back in 2006 after an 18-month suspension, and now appears to be the go-to-guy if your marriage is on the rocks in Walworth county.
If George gets his license back, he could devote his reinstated earning power to such tasks as paying off a $2,320.77 delinquent tax warrant from the Department of Revenue. He could also pay off another $3,515.44 warrant to the department, which has been patiently awaiting its money since 2005.