State revokes Ernest Garlington's license; counselor serving 33-year prison sentence for conspiracy to commit murder, other charges

June 7, 2010

On May 17, 2010, the Connecticut Department of Public Health revoked the the professional counselor license of Ernest Garlington. 

Garlington, who is currently incarcerated in Garner Correctional Facility in Newtown, Connecticut, was sentenced in May 2008 to 33 years prison for the conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree assault.  

The target of both conspiracies was Derek Hopson, a psychologist who is Garlington's wife's ex-husband.

Hopson escaped injury when shots were fired at him in 2003 outside the clinic where he worked, where he also was beaten with a golf club less than a year earlier. Prosecutors say Garlington arranged the assaults because he thought Hopson was bothering his wife.

Garlington was convicted in November on charges including conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree assault. 

"He's a very dangerous man, calculating, cunning, with no remorse," Hopson said of Garlington during Garlington's sentencing.

One of Garlington's alleged co-conspirators, Willie Foote, testified during the trial that Garlington offered $1,500 for the 2002 beating.  He also said Garlington, after the beating, offered $30,000 for the killing of Hopson.

The shooter in the 2003 incident, Robbie Santos of Waterbury, was convicted and sentenced to 18 years in prison.

The Department of Public Health's document indicates that Garlington was convicted of four charges on November 21, 2007: Conspiracy to Commit Assault, Inciting Injury to Persons or Property, Assault in the Second Degree and Conspiracy to Commit Murder--all felonies.

The Board notes as well, "In this case, the nature of the convictions bears a direct relationship to the respondent's [Garlington's] ability to practice as a professional counselor.  The very principles that govern responden't licensure...are the very principles he failed to demonstrate through his own poor judgment  and character, as evidences by his convictions for assault...inciting injury...and...murder.  Moreover, despite reliable evidence presented, as well as the fact that respondent is currently serving a 33-year sentence...respondent denies his convictions, demonstrating the absense of any degree of rehabilitation...."

Source: "Conn. Man Gets 33 Years In Murder-For-Hire Plot," Associated Press, May 2, 2008 and Final Memorandum of Decision RE: Ernest C. Garlington, P.C., Petition No. 2007-1207-046-005, State of Connecticut Department of Public Health