Appeals court says lawyer for California engaged in 'egregious misconduct,' flips verdict

A California appeals court has overturned a verdict because of what it called egregious misconducted by a state lawyer who portrayed an injured motorcyclist as a low-life Nazi biker.

The 4th District Court of Appeal ruled Tuesday a Transportation Department lawyer ran roughshod over her opponent and continuously violated an Orange County judge's orders in a personal injury case.

The court says it stopped counting the ways attorney Karen Bilotti committed misconduct. It referred the case to the State Bar for investigation.

Donn Martinez sued the state after he struck a low curb on a freeway underpass in 2010 and was left permanently injured.

Martinez's attorney says he and his client suffered through the trial, but he always expected justice from a higher court.

Bilotti didn't immediately return messages seeking comment.