Lawyer suspended for sex act with client

A Zanesville lawyer’s license has been suspended for participating in a sex act — captured by a security camera — with a female client in the Coshocton County Courthouse.

In a 6-0 decision on Thursday, the Ohio Supreme Court gave Brian W. Benbow a two-year suspension, with one year stayed, for violating professional-conduct rules governing lawyers.

After previously exchanging explicit photos and texts of a sexual nature with his client, Benbow accompanied the woman to the courthouse in Coshocton, about 75 miles east of Columbus, for a child-visitation matter in December 2014.

While in a conference room equipped with a video camera, Benbow placed his court files and coat over his lap and placed his client’s hand under his coat, according to court filings.

The camera transmitted a live feed that was monitored by courthouse deputies; the conduct then was investigated by the sheriff’s office.

Benbow then broke off his professional and personal relationship with his client.

He reported some of his conduct to the Columbus Bar Association but did not disclose its true extent, court filings said.

The Board of Professional Conduct, which submitted its findings to the justices, said that Benbow’s “repeated and improper sexual conduct with his client and the subsequent course of dishonest conduct” warranted his suspension from the practice of law.

Benbow lied about his sexual relationship with his client before admitting that he had violated several disciplinary rules: soliciting or engaging in sexual activity with a client, knowingly making a false statement in connection with a disciplinary matter, and engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.

Benbow had not previously been found guilty of any disciplinary violations.

The court’s 6-0 opinion was unsigned. Justice Mary DeGenaro did not participate in the case.