Story Archive

And Then There Were Two Defendants

When prosecutors tried to contact the attorney for a man accused of using other people’s names to buy 160-plus iPads, it led to the revelation that he’s been accused of being more familiar with such crimes than a lawyer should be. Defense counsel Deron Kartoon, 48, showed up in the California State Bar directory as inactive — which means he wasn’t authorized to practice law. Kartoon said he’d taken that status voluntarily. Authorities said he’s been accused in the past of credit-card fraud, identity theft, possession of meth, possession of a meth pipe, and — best of all, for a lawyer — failing to show up in court to face charges. As for his decision to show up in court for a client when he wasn’t supposed to be practicing, Kartoon said he was merely there as a “witness” and wanted to make sure his client got another attorney. (He got one.) Both defendants went from the courtroom to the San Mateo County Jail. Kartoon then posted bail. He said he expected to be “exonerated fully on everything,” and “when I get my head screwed on, I don’t think there’s another attorney that can outwork me.” (AC/San Francisco Chronicle) ...At beating charges, or piling them up?