PINE BLUFF, Ark. (AP) - A lawyer accused of trying to defraud a pawnshop out of a lawn mower has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge and surrendered his law license. Donald Warren Senior of Pine Bluff was serving as a special judge in Jefferson County when he signed an order July 16 for Money Corner to release a Land-Pride Finish Mowing Deck to him. Warren claimed he was the owner, although he had not filed a police report on the theft of the machine.
Warren pleaded guilty yesterday to a charge of misdemeanor abuse of office, and Special Judge John Plegge ordered him to pay a $650 fine plus court costs. Prosecutors say they will drop a felony forgery charge and a misdemeanor attempted theft of property charge against Warren.
Warren said after the hearing that his actions were wrong but not criminal. He said he voluntarily surrendered his law license because his reputation was tarnished.
Prosecutor Stevan Dalrymple said his office did not pursue charges against the person who pawned the mower -- a man who currently is serving a 5-year sentence for burglary and theft convictions out of Cleveland County.
