On Dec. 31, the Florida Supreme Court announced it has suspended Pensacola attorney Gene Polk for 90 days, followed by a three-year probation. He was disciplined because for his failures to communicate with a client for nearly two years and to return documents despite numerous requests.
Polk, a former assistant public defender, was fired by Public Defender James Owens in November 2010. He was cited in a February 2012 PNJ article for complaining that Retired Air Force Col. George “Bud” Day, a Medal of Honor honoree for his valor during 5 1/2 years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, did not report for work regularly to supervise the Public Defender’s Shalimar office.
Day, an Owens supporter, denied the allegation. An investigation by the State Attorney in Panama City led to no charges being filed against Owens, but the allegations hurt his Owen’s re-election campaign.
He lost to Bruce Miller in the 2012 Republican primary.
In October 2013, Owens filed a libel/slander suit against Polk.
As the conditions of probation, Polk is directed by the court to contact Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc. (FLA, Inc.) and schedule a substance abuse evaluation within 30 days of the date of court’s final order, participate in an evaluation for substance abuse with a FLA, Inc.-approved substance abuse evaluator within 60 days of this Court’s final order, and if recommended, enter into a FLA, Inc. contract for substance abuse services.
In addition, Polk is to enter into a FLA, Inc. contract for supervision and continuation of his psychotherapy treatment plan with Dr. James Larson or any other licensed, certified psychotherapist amenable to FLA, Inc. and The Florida Bar.
Polk was also ordered to pay $4,069.68 in court costs. Read Polk.