Reston Attorney Accused Of Drunken Behavior Has License Suspended For 5 More Years

RESTON, VA — A Reston attorney accused of showing up drunk to a seminar in Tysons Corner won't be able to practice law for many years after he once again fell afoul of the bar by not appearing in court on behalf of his client despite being legally required to do so.

The Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board ruled Aug. 25 that Wayne Richard Hartke, of Hartke Law Offices at 11890 Sunrise Valley Drive, should be suspended for five years effective Oct. 27, 2019 -- when a previous three-year suspension ends -- for "violating professional rules that govern candor toward the tribunal."

Hartke's mess started back in January 2014, when he attended a Continuing Legal Education seminar in Tysons Corner.

"During the morning session of the program, Respondent sat in the back of the room and shortly after arriving fell asleep and began snoring," the March 2015 board ruling on the original six-month suspension reads. "Respondent's snoring was so pronounced and loud that the site coordinator for Virginia CLE, Ms. Hope Linzer, was alerted and had to come in to the room to wake Respondent from a deep sleep. During the morning session, Respondent's snoring was heard by numerous attendees and was disruptive of the class."

It got worse from there. Hartke then moved to the front of the room during the afternoon session and "began loudly talking at the video screen." Once again, Linzer was alerted to the situation, and she asked Hartke to stop, but he ignored her, according to the ruling.

"Because Respondent's outbursts continued, he was led from the room by one of the attendees, John Primeau, Esquire," the ruling reads. "Mr. Primeau would testify that the odor of alcohol emanated very strongly from Respondent, that he was unsteady on his feet, and that Respondent admitted to Mr. Primeau that he had been drinking. Mr. Burke would testify that Respondent appeared to be intoxicated and that he smelled of alcohol. Mr. Burke would also testify that he personally observed a bottle of liquor amongst Respondent's belongings which Respondent had left in the back of the room following the morning session."

Hartke denied the allegations, but was suspended six months, and then later three years after missing meetings he was required to attend.

Fast forward to Aug. 9, 2016, when Hartke failed to appear at a preliminary hearing in a criminal felony matter on behalf of his client, according to a ruling from the board.

Hartke claimed that he hadn't been paid and had failed to calendar the hearing, but the board didn't deem those to be valid excuses. As a result, Hartke won't be able to practice law until 2024.

Image via Chris Potter