Court Suspends Delegate Alston's License To Practice Law

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Maryland's highest court has indefinitely suspended Delegate Tiffany Alston's license to practice law.

The Court of Appeals announced the suspension Tuesday in response to a petition filed by the Attorney Grievance Commission.

The commission alleged several violations of the Maryland Lawyers' Rules of Professional Conduct, including Alston's inadequate representation of a client. She also did not respond to a commission request for information.

Alston, a first-term Prince George's County Democrat, was found guilty in June of misdemeanor theft and misconduct by using $800 in state money to pay an employee in her law office. A trial has been scheduled next month on charges she used campaign money to pay wedding expenses.

Last week, state prosecutors and Alston's attorneys failed to reach a plea deal to settle the two cases.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)