Court affirms ruling to disbar lawyer

PORTLAND – The Supreme Judicial Court on Tuesday affirmed a ruling by one of its justices that disbarred longtime Lewiston attorney Thomas M. Mangan from the practice of law for violating rules of the Maine bar.

Mangan was cited for inappropriate use of his client escrow account, neglect of legal matters entrusted to him and having engaged in a sexual relationship with a client.

The Board of Overseers of the Bar brought the case against Mangan based on the complaint of a woman who came to him for help in settling her medical bills after she received $4,000 in compensation for a personal injury and in locating the fathers of her two older daughters.

Mangan later began a consensual sexual relationship with the woman, the ruling said.

Mangan, who had practiced law in the Lewiston area for about 25 years, was represented by counsel at his trial but served as his own lawyer in his appeal.