Paris Attorney Pleads Guilty, Agrees to Disbarment

PARIS — Michael Ainley, a Paris-based attorney, pleaded guilty to lesser charges and has agreed to be disbarred from practicing law.

Judge Roy B. Morgan, Jr. accepted an amended plea to lesser charges during a hearing in Henry County.

With counsel present the Defendant offered to enter a plea of Guilty pursuant to a negotiated best interest (Judicial Diversion) plea agreement and to be sentenced as follows, pending the approval/acceptance of the application for Judicial Diversion by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI):

Count 1: charged - Sexual Battery by an Authority Figure (Felony C), amended to Assault; (Misd. A), 11 months 29 days, RCS 75%, No Fine.

Count 2: charged - Sexual Battery (Felony E), amended to Assault; (Misd. A), 11 months 29 days, RCS 75%, No Fine.

Count 3: charged - Assault (Misd. B), amended to Assault; (Misd. C), 6 months, RCS 75%, No Fine.

NEW - Count 4: charged - Introduction of Contraband into a Penal Institution Where Prisoners are Quartered (Felony C), 5 years, Range 1 Offender, RCS 30%, No Fine.

All counts run concurrently for five years; RCS 30%; ‘Regular’ Probation; no contact with victims; Ainley’s property seized is to be returned. Defendant will close his law practice and agrees to permanent disbarment in all U.S. states where he possesses a law license and will not attempt to reinstate his license in any state.

A ‘best interest’ plea and sentencing is Friday, January 9, 10 a.m. at the Henry County Circuit Courtroom.