EX-PROSECUTOR EDDLEMAN DISBARRED FOR COCAINE CONVICTION

Former Carbon County Attorney Robert L. Eddleman, who is serving a
federal prison sentence for a drug conviction, has been disbarred by
the Montana Supreme Court.

The justices unanimously agreed to disbar Eddleman in an order issued
March 9. The panel accepted the recommendation of the Commission on
Practice, which said Eddleman should be disbarred "for his breach of
ethical duties," the order said.

Disbarred lawyers can petition for reinstatement after five years.

Eddleman, 52, is serving a two and one-half year sentence for
conspiracy to maintain premises for cocaine distribution. Eddleman is
in a minimum security prison in Duluth, Minn. His release date is May
15, 2011, federal Bureau of Prisons records said.

Eddleman and his fiancee, Terri Jabs Kurth, of Billings, pleaded
guilty a year ago to conspiring to make cocaine available to friends
at their homes in Red Lodge and Billings. Kurth was sentenced to
eight months in prison, fined $10,000 and forfeited $50,000.

The case was part of a larger cocaine conspiracy that brought at
least 11 pounds of cocaine to the community beginning in 2004,
prosecutors said. Eight others also have been convicted in the case,
including Domingo Baez, 40, who was the local dealer and who sold
cocaine to Eddleman and Kurth.

Under the system established by the state Supreme Court, the Office
of Disciplinary Counsel investigates and prosecutes complaints
against lawyers. The Commission on Practice hears cases and makes
disciplinary recommendations to the high court.

The commission submitted its findings and recommendations on Eddleman
to the Supreme Court in January. No objections were filed.

Eddleman resigned on March 10, 2009, as part of a plea agreement with
federal prosecutors. He had been on leave without pay since his
indictment in December 2008. The commission suspended Eddleman from
practice after he pleaded guilty.

Eddleman was appointed Carbon County attorney in June 2006 to fill a
vacancy, then ran for the office and won. Earlier, Eddleman was an
unsuccessful state Supreme Court candidate, served as the Stillwater
County attorney, worked in private practice and was a staff attorney
with the Yellowstone County Public Defender Office.