No Maine law license for F. Lee Bailey

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AUGUSTA, Maine, Jan. 1 (UPI) -- In a 5-4 ruling, a state panel in Maine rejected celebrity lawyer F. Lee Bailey's application for admission to the bar in the state.

Bailey had some high-level support, including an affidavit from former Gov. John Baldacci testifying to his good character, the Auburn-Lewiston Sun Journal reported. But a majority of the State of Maine Board of Bar Examiners found him lacking in late November.

The decision only became public this week.

During his long career, Bailey has represented high-profile clients including O.J. Simpson and Patty Hearst, who turned from kidnap victim to armed leftwing thief in the 1970s. But he was disbarred in Florida and Massachusetts for dubious financial dealings while representing a drug dealer.

The board majority also said they had doubts about where Bailey is living. His partner, Deborah Elliott, testified during a hearing that he lives with her in Yarmouth, Maine.

Bailey also said he would agree, if he is allowed to practice law, to be supervised by another lawyer.

The majority found Bailey was unrepentant about the misconduct that cost him his license to practice.

"Rather than accepting that he was disbarred because of his own misconduct, Bailey continues to place blame elsewhere," the majority opinion said.