Ex-Wayne County prosecutor is disbarred

DETROIT (AP) -- Wayne County's former top drug prosecutor has been disbarred in the wake of a perjury scandal. Michigan's Attorney Discipline Board announced its decision against Karen Plants in a 48-page ruling released late Tuesday, the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News reported. Initially, Plants' law license was suspended for two years. The Attorney Grievance Commission appealed, saying the punishment was too lenient. The Discipline Board agreed and revoked her license. The board said it acted because the hearing panel concluded Plants "committed misconduct in office" by "knowingly allowing false testimony to be given during a trial." It said that warranted a more serious penalty. Plants was sentenced to six months in jail after pleading guilty to misconduct in office stemming from allegations that she allowed an informant and police officers to lie about the informant's role in a cocaine bust. The Associated Press left a message Wednesday seeking comment from Plants' lawyer, Ken Mogill. Judge Mary Waterstone presided over the case and was accused of knowing about the lies. She has retired and is appealing charges that she committed misconduct in office. Published: Fri, Mar 23, 2012