An attorney who ran an office in Oak Harbor for years and provided public defense work for the city was recently disbarred by the state Supreme Court.

William Dean Adams, a 53-year-old Monroe resident, pleaded guilty early this year to four counts of felony forgery for faking court documents to fool his clients.

An Island County court commissioner sentenced him to three months in jail and a month of community service work during an emotional hearing in May.

Local attorneys and court employees expressed shock at why Adams, a well-respected attorney and long-time member of the Monroe School Board, would mislead his clients. After Adams was charged, the city of Oak Harbor had to scramble to find defense attorneys to fill in for him.

Adams forged court documents in two adoption and two divorce cases to make it seem like he completed work he was paid to do.

Adams expressed regret for his actions, agreed to plead guilty and pay restitution to his victims, but never publicly explained why he did it.

The Supreme Court’s decision to disbar Adams is effective Nov. 2.