In the legal and political landscape of Southern California, the case of Stephen J. Alexander (State Bar #134168) remains a high-profile example of how criminal conduct can lead to the permanent loss of a professional license. Once the Mayor of Azusa and a candidate for the municipal bench, Alexander’s career ended in a federal courtroom and a subsequent summary disbarment by the California Supreme Court.
Effective September 27, 2007, Alexander was officially removed from the roll of attorneys, rendering him permanently ineligible to practice law in California.
The Catalyst: Felony Tax Evasion and Financial Concealment
The path to disbarment began with a federal investigation into Alexander’s financial dealings during the late 1990s. The charges revealed a complex web of money laundering and tax fraud:
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Subscribing to a False Tax Return: In 2005, a federal jury convicted Alexander of one felony count of lying on his 1997 tax return. While he claimed an income of less than $15,000, he later admitted under oath to receiving at least $200,000.
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The “Commission” for Concealment: The unreported income was linked to a scheme involving a former Los Angeles Superior Court Judge. Alexander was found to have helped conceal nearly $1.5 million belonging to a local doctor, moving the funds through various conduits to hide them from their rightful owner.
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Moral Turpitude: The State Bar Court determined that Alexander’s actions involved “moral turpitude”—a legal term for conduct that is contrary to justice, honesty, or good morals—making disbarment mandatory under California law.
From City Hall to Federal Prison
Before his legal downfall, Stephen J. Alexander was a prominent figure in the San Gabriel Valley:
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Political Career: He served as the Mayor of Azusa from 1994 to 1997 and was a former member of the Azusa City Council.
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Judicial Aspirations: In 1996, he was a candidate for the Citrus Municipal Court.
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Criminal Sentence: Following his conviction, a federal judge sentenced him to six months in jail and six months of electronically monitored home detention.
Reciprocal Discipline and Federal Ban
A state-level disbarment often triggers a “domino effect” across other legal jurisdictions. Because the California Supreme Court found Alexander unfit to practice, other bodies followed suit:
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Immigration Courts: The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a reciprocal disbarment, placing him on the List of Currently Disciplined Practitioners. This prevents him from appearing in any immigration court nationwide.
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Arizona Bar: Records indicate that Alexander was also a member of the State Bar of Arizona (Bar #006878), which pursued its own disciplinary proceedings following the California ruling.
Conclusion: The High Price of Ethics Violations
The disbarment of Stephen J. Alexander serves as a stark reminder that the State Bar of California maintains a zero-tolerance policy for attorneys convicted of crimes involving dishonesty. For a man who once held the highest office in his city, the transition from “Mayor” to “Disbarred” underscores the reality that no political title can shield an attorney from the ethical requirements of their license.
