The Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS - Former Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Brown, convicted of lying to the FBI, will be barred from practicing law in this state until late 2006 at the earliest.

The Louisiana Supreme Court, which suspended Brown on an "interim basis" Oct. 31, 2001, unanimously suspended him for three years Nov. 14.

A three-year suspension is the stiffest suspension the justices can impose.

Brown, who acknowledged Thursday that his 2000 felony conviction for lying to the FBI could have resulted in him being disbarred, said the court did not order the three-year suspension to run retroactive to his interim suspension. "I didn't really pursue that."

Instead, the 63-year-old said he chose to avoid lengthy and costly hearings and to agree with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel to a three-year suspension "to get the time running. I do not have any plans to practice law, but I wanted to keep my license," he said, adding that he wants to keep his options open.

Brown would have to apply for readmission to the state bar once his suspension ends if he decides to resume practicing law. The state Supreme Court would have the final say on that application.

Brown, who was found guilty of lying to the FBI about the settlement of state claims against a failed insurer while he was insurance commissioner, served six months in federal prison in Oakdale. He was released in April.

Brown is scheduled to appear before the state Pardon Board on Dec. 3 to argue why his rights to vote, run for office and carry a weapon should be restored. He lost those civil rights when he was convicted.

Brown reiterated Thursday that he did nothing wrong. "I say to this day I'm innocent."