The disciplinary arm of the Ohio Supreme Court is expected to hand down professional misconduct charges against six lawyers from the Columbus areas, according to The Columbus Dispatch.

Court officials announced the filing of cases in front of the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline requesting action against the licenses of the six lawyers.

Javier Armengau, who is already suspended from practicing law, has been recommended for permanent disbarment after being convicted for raping a client and sexually assaulting two other women. The recommendation was made by a probable-cause panel.

Armengau received a 13-year prison sentence on August 26. The complaint filed with the disciplinary committee includes misconduct involving one dozen cases.



The complaint includes issues involving making false statements, charging excessive fees, conflicts of interest, dishonesty, failing to return client funds, client trust-fund violations and false advertising.

Stephen E. Hillman, from Dublin, has been cited for misconduct involving federal income tax violations. His misconduct occurred from 2009 to 2011. Hillman was sentenced to six months of house arrest for 2014 and has to pay the IRS $133,899.

In Reynoldsburg, Gerald W. Salters was convicted earlier in 2014 of felony trespassing, misdemeanor child endangering and drunken driving. Salters drank in a bar and then entered the apartment of his ex-girlfriend all while leaving his two-year-old daughter in his vehicle. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail.

After filing paperwork two months too late, Roger Warner was charged with mishandling the case of a client in Columbus. This issue came about when two children a couple wanted to adopt wound up being adopted by a family from another state.

In Westerville, James C. Zury has been charged with mishandling the money of his employer and dishonesty. He cashed a check made payable to American Family Insurance for $1,750. Following his employment coming to an end, Zury repaid the company.

Another lawyer from Reynoldsburg has been recommended to the disciplinary board of the Ohio Supreme Court. Daniel K. Balaloski has been charged with the mishandling of six estates and other cases. He was also charged with failing to distribute funds to clients in a timely manner.

Hearings will be held by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline for all of the cases filed. The board will then make recommendations to the Ohio Supreme Court as to which actions to take against each lawyer’s ability to practice law.