‘Out to Destroy Me’ : Lawyer Blames Ex-Wife for Troubles With State Bar

A San Diego attorney under investigation on allegations of misconduct said Wednesday that complaints filed against him by former clients were inspired by his former wife, who is “out to destroy me.”

Richard Degallegos, 48, alleged that at least three of 11 complaints filed against him with the State Bar of California were prompted by Susan Eblen, from whom he has been divorced for 10 months. He called those three complaints “totally without merit,” and said he is unaware of the nature of the remaining eight.

State Bar investigators are looking into allegations that, among other things, Degallegos misused client funds, failed to complete work he was hired to do, missed court appearances and abandoned cases after agreeing to pursue them.

In a separate investigation, the San Diego County district attorney’s office is evaluating allegations of criminal misconduct, including misappropriation of client funds.

Contempt of Court

On Monday, Degallegos’ woes came to a head when a Municipal Court judge found him in contempt of court and ordered him to spend 10 days in jail and pay a $2,000 fine. Judge Lillian Lim Quon found him guilty of misbehavior, willful neglect and violation of duty for failing to turn over materials to an attorney who had taken over one of his cases.

Degallegos said Wednesday that he was “absolutely overwhelmed” by Quon’s action, which he plans to appeal. He denied charges that he had withheld materials from attorney Diane Campbell, saying the client in the case had already retrieved the files in question from his office.

“This whole thing has been blown out of proportion,” Degallegos said. “Susan is out to destroy me. This is all part of that.”

Eblen could not be reached for comment.

In an unusual action, the San Diego County Bar Assn. has created a hot line for those worried about cases Degallegos is handling. The number, which was printed incorrectly in The Times on Wednesday, is 231-0784. Callers will be referred to other attorneys and to the State Bar if they wish to file a complaint.

Degallegos, who said he is now representing 1,000 clients through offices in San Diego, Salinas, Santa Maria and Calexico, welcomed the hot line if it helps his clients “get a second opinion on their case.”