Disbarred lawyer enters guilty plea

Southeast Missourian

GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Former Cape Girardeau Municipal Judge Bob Gowen pleaded guilty Tuesday in Wayne County to practicing law without a license, a misdemeanor.

Gowen was disbarred Jan. 14.

According to Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle, Gowen received a suspended sentence and was placed on a year's probation. If he successfully completes probation, the sentence will be removed and he will not have a criminal record.

Gowen must also make restitution to those clients he represented from Jan. 14 to March 29, when it was discovered he was still practicing law.

Gowen's attorney, Mike Maguire, said that Gowen has already made restitution. Once Gowen completes his probation and satisfies all other requirements, Maguire said, he can then take steps toward reinstating his law license.

"I am sure Bob wants to do that at some point," Maguire said. "He's doing one step at a time; today was one step."