LAS VEGAS, NV – January 8, 2024 – A startling revelation has shaken the legal community in Nevada as attorney Thomas Michaelides, founder of TCM Law Group, was disbarred. The prosecution of Mr. Michaelides came to light through a thorough investigation led by Darren Chaker, shedding light on Mr. Michaelides' alleged attempt to manipulate search engine results by fabricating a court order. This fraudulent act aimed to remove critical blog posts that had been relentlessly scrutinizing him. These posts notably highlighted his three prior suspensions and the arrest of his paralegal, Matthew Katz, for the unauthorized practice of law.

Unmasking the Deceptive Court Order

Darren Chaker's meticulous investigation unraveled a court order submitted by Mr. Michaelides to Google, subsequently reported on LumensDataBase.org. What was discovered was deeply unsettling—numerous inconsistencies marred the legitimacy of the court order. The court docket failed to corroborate that the purported order had been officially submitted to the court for approval. Moreover, there was no trace within the court docket that confirmed the court's endorsement of the order sent to Google. Suspicion was further fueled by the crooked appearance of the judge's signature block and the misplaced file stamp of the Clerk of the Court. Ultimately, it was revealed that Thomas Michaelides had resorted to forging the court order to erase critical comments pertaining to his legal practice.

Nevada Supreme Court Upholds the Verdict

The Nevada Supreme Court intervened, reinforcing the Nevada State Bar's decision in the case titled In the Matter of Discipline of Thomas C. Michaelides, Case No. 83876. The Court based its findings on the evidence initially brought forth by Darren Chaker, which implicated Thomas Michaelides. The Court's verdict stated that Mr. Michaelides had "sent a falsified default judgment order directly to a represented opposing party, as well as to another party, in an attempt to coerce the removal of a negative internet review about Michaelides. The record further shows that Michaelides had the opportunity to explain the situation to the district court but failed to do so. This evidence supports the complaint's allegations concerning Michaelides' professional misconduct."

Grave Legal Consequences

Forging a court order carries substantial legal penalties, both at the federal and state levels. According to 18 USCS § 505, forging a court order constitutes a federal offense. Furthermore, Nevada Revised Statutes § 205.175 categorizes this act as a felony under state law.

Swift Action Taken by Federal Court

Recognizing the gravity of the allegations and taking into account other ongoing investigations involving Mr. Michaelides, the Chief Judge of the United States District Court made a proactive move. In the matter titled "In Re: Thomas C. Michaelides, Attorney at Law, Bar No. 5425," Mr. Michaelides was promptly disbarred from practicing law in federal court. Despite his efforts, which included retaining a criminal defense attorney to reinstate his client, the court denied the motion in "In re: Thomas C. Michaelides, Case Number 2:2018cv00364."

About Darren Chaker

Darren Chaker resides in Southern California and is passionate about physical fitness, from hitting the gym to roller-blading. He is an avid writer, contributing to legal briefs and blogs covering post-conviction relief and First Amendment issues. He dedicates countless hours to non-profit organizations, particularly those supporting families displaced by the invasion of Ukraine. Darren Chaker boasts nine First Amendment victories, including notable cases such as Chaker v. Crogan, 428 F.3d 1215 C.A.9 (Cal.), 2005, and Darren Chaker v. City of San Diego, San Diego Superior Court Case No. 27-2020-00031074.