The Kentucky Supreme Court has permanently disbarred Steve Catron for his actions as an attorney representing the city of Bowling Green and the Western Kentucky University Student Life Foundation.

The written opinion was released this week after a unanimous vote recommending his dismissal by the Kentucky Bar Association Board of Governors. The Supreme Court in Kentucky must adopt the recommendations of the board for an attorney to be disbarred.

Formerly of Bowling Green, Catron – when contacted Friday at home in Concord, Tenn. – said he had no comment.

Catron responded to the charges against him by e-mail that he intended to request more time to respond, but did not file the motion in time, according to court records. He is not a member of the Tennessee Bar Association.

In addition to being disbarred, Catron has to pay $3,666.46 for the costs of the Supreme Court proceeding. He is also required to notify all courts and clients he is currently representing that he can no longer represent them.

Catron previously served as secretary and attorney for the Tourism and Economic Council, which became the Convention Center Corporation. This group was established by Bowling Green and Warren County to build and maintain the convention center, according to court records.

The city eventually filed a civil suit against Catron, alleging he took $247,743 in funds that were supposed to be paid to others.

Bowling Green’s lawsuit against Catron was settled and Catron did comply with the terms, according to the records.

Catron was temporarily suspended from practicing law on July 12, 2004. Prior to the suspension Catron was serving as the past-president of the Kentucky Bar Association. He had been an officer or board member for the bar association for the 10 years prior.

Catron had also been charged by the bar association with charging an unreasonable fee, conflict of interest and failing to hold client funds separately from a lawyer’s own property – as in the case with the city of Bowling Green.

&#8220I was absolutely shocked to learn that a man whose questionable record went back as far as 1988 was able not only to find work but continue to find work involving public funds,” Bowling Green Mayor Elaine Walker said.

Supreme Court records state Catron purchased a $100 million title insurance policy for the Student Life Foundation – without notifying the foundation, although the foundation’s debt was about $65.45 million.

It was also not disclosed that Catron’s legal firm would be paid a commission from the premiums of this policy, according to the court document, and Catron’s firm was also being paid for representing the foundation in the transaction.

The foundation filed a petition with the bar association, seeking a refund of at least $91,000 from Catron’s former firm. The bar association board also agreed with this motion.

Catron was charged by the bar association with failure to communicate adequately with a client, charging an unreasonable fee, conflict of interest and engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit and misrepresentation.

Deborah Wilkins, legal counsel for Western, said the university had no comment on Catron being disbarred.