Chicago family law attorney David Pasulka has been suspended from serving as guardian ad litem and “any other Court Committee to which he has been appointed” in the domestic relations division in Cook County, Illinois, following “serious allegations” against him. A complaint filed by the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC), alleges Pasulka traded recommendations for custody, in his court-appointed role as guardian ad litem, for sex, as well as allegations of sexual assault.
As reported by CBS Local:
The complaint says Pasulka was explicit about the arrangement: sex in exchange for a favorable recommendation regarding the custody of her two children.
According to the complaint, “[Pasulka] stated to [the woman] that, in order to receive his support in recommending that she receive sole custody, she only had to ‘do a little extra something’ and that she was a ‘smart girl’ and that if she really wanted her children, he could ‘do that’ for her if she would have sex with him.”
The complaint also alleges that Pasulka used his position of authority to sexually harass three women employed at his firm, and sexually assaulted them by forcibly kissing and penetrating the women.
“As [the woman’s] employer, [Pasulka] maintained a position of power over her, in that she was financially dependent upon her job at the firm as her only source of income,” the complaint said of one of the women. “In addition, during the duration of her employment, [Pasulka] routinely told [the woman] about his connections in the family law field, including connections with judges, attorneys, and bar associations and implied his ability to affect her professional success.”
The complaint says Pasulka pressured the women, telling one “he was looking for a ‘team player’ and that she should be a ‘team player’ and that ‘you’re saying no when you should be saying yes,’” the complaint said, adding that Pasulka even told one woman “Your friend, [one of the women in the complaint], does not say no.”
The complaint further alleges “dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentations related to manipulation of an alcohol testing device” in connection with a 2017 DUI arrest.
Pasulka has denied the allegations against him:
Pasulka told CBS 2’s Charlie De Mar he denies all the allegations against him. Pasulka said he is a leader in his field and has represented thousands of children, and feels he is being “dragged through the mud,” adding that “this is the worst thing that’s ever been laid on me.”
Pasulka has not been charged with any crime in connection with the complaint. A Cook County State’s Attorney’s office spokesperson said, “[W]e have not been asked to review these matters by law enforcement who would conduct the initial investigation.”
Read the full complaint below.
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, and host of The Jabot podcast. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).