Paul L. Douglas

Paul L. Douglas (1927–2012) was an American lawyer and politician who served as Nebraska Attorney General from 1975 until his resignation in 1984.

Paul L. Douglas
29th Nebraska Attorney General
In office
1975–1984
GovernorJ. James Exon
Preceded byClarence A. H. Meyer
Succeeded byRobert M. Spire
Personal details
BornSeptember 19, 1927
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, U.S.
DiedNovember 5, 2012 (aged 85)
Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.
Alma materAugustana University
University of Nebraska College of Law (JD)

Early life and education

Douglas was born on September 19, 1927, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served two years during World War II, and later in the Korean War. Douglas attended Augustana University and the University of Nebraska College of Law.[1]

Career as prosecutor and state attorney general

Douglas was a local prosecutor in Lancaster County, Nebraska, until he was elected state attorney general in 1974.[2] As a local prosecutor, Douglas was part of the prosecution team on the Charles Starkweather case.[3] He took office as state AG in 1975,[3] and was re-elected in 1978 and in 1982.[2]

In 1984, Douglas was impeached by the Nebraska Legislature for "allegedly lying about his dealings with an insolvent bank (Commonwealth Savings Company of Lincoln) and failing to investigate the institution".[4] He was the only Nebraska official impeached in the 20th century. In accordance with the Nebraska Constitution, the Nebraska Supreme Court conducted the impeachment trial; in a per curiam ruling issued in May 1984, the court found him not guilty, allowing him to remain in office.[3][5]

Douglas was indicted in June 1984, and was tried in Lancaster County District Court.[2] On December 14, 1984, he was acquitted of obstruction of governmental operations (a misdemeanor) but convicted of perjury (a felony).[2] His law license was then suspended, and he resigned as state attorney general[3][1] on December 27, 1984.[2] Douglas maintained his innocence and said he would appeal the conviction, but said he resigned because he had always taken the position that an elected official should resign if convicted of a felony, saying, "I see no reason why it should not apply to me."[3] His perjury conviction was overturned by the Nebraska Supreme Court in May 1986.[6]

Subsequent career

Douglas resumed his career as a lawyer, practicing as a sole practitioner in Lincoln, Nebraska, until his death.[3] Among his clients were some Gage County officials sued in the Beatrice Six case.[3] He died in Lincoln, on November 5, 2012, at the age of 85.[3][7]

Personal life

Douglas was married and was a member of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation in Lincoln.[3]

References
  1. Catharine Huddle (November 5, 2012). "Former Attorney General Paul Douglas dies at 85". Lincoln Journal Star.
  2. "Attorney General quits in Nebraska". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Ore. Associated Press. December 27, 1984. p. 9A – via Google News.
  3. Joe Duggan (November 6, 2012). "Former Attorney General Paul Douglas dies". The Omaha World Herald. Archived from the original on 2013-11-15.
  4. "Attorney General is Impeached". Ocala Star-Banner. Ocala, Fla. Associated Press. March 15, 1984. p. 4A – via Google News.
  5. "State v. Douglas, 349 N.W.2d 870 (Neb. 1984)" – via Court Listener.
  6. Ex-Nebraska Aide's Conviction Reversed, Associated Press (May 31, 1986).
  7. "Douglas, Paul L.". Lincoln Journal Star. November 8, 2012.
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