Fargo attorney disbarred for forgery

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota Supreme Court has disbarred a Fargo attorney who admitted forging documents, lying to business associates and mishandling clients' money.

Alan McDonagh pleaded guilty in January to a misdemeanor forgery charge in Grand Forks County and was sentenced to community service and probation.

The state Supreme Court disbarred McDonagh this week, saying in its order that "the protection of the public and the profession is paramount." He also was ordered to pay $8,000 in restitution. A telephone listing for McDonagh could not be found.

Forum Communications reports that only a dozen attorneys have been disbarred in North Dakota in the past decade.

Tags: north dakota, news, fargo, updates