LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - The Kentucky Supreme Court has
permanently disbarred a former Boone County judge who oversaw a
settlement involving the diet drug fen-phen.
The ruling Thursday by the high court in Frankfort means that
Joseph "Jay" Bamberger will lose his law license in the state.
The decision stems from a $200 million settlement for people who
suffered health problems involving the diet drug.
A hearing officer said it was "inconceivable" that Bamberger
didn't know lawyers in the case were taking excessive fees.
The Kentucky Bar Association has also asked the justices to
permanently disbar prominent attorney Stanley Chesley of Cincinnati
for his role in the settlement.
Four other lawyers who participated in the case have already
been disbarred.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)