Title: The Florida Bar v. Beaver
Citation: 248 So. 2d 477
Docket Number: 40562
State: Florida
Issuer: Florida Supreme Court
Date: May 19, 1971

248 So. 2d 477 (1971)
THE FLORIDA BAR, Complainant,
v.
Sidney G. BEAVER, Respondent.
No. 40562.

Supreme Court of Florida.
May 19, 1971.
Richard E. Nelson and David G. Bowman, Sarasota, for The Florida Bar, for complainant.
Sidney G. Beaver in pro. per.
PER CURIAM.
This disciplinary matter is before us, pursuant to the Integration Rule of The Florida Bar, Rule 11.06(9) (b), 32 F.S.A., for consideration on the report of the referee.
The complaint of the Florida Bar was filed against respondent on November 12, 1969, charging him with violation of Canon 22 of the Canons of Professional Ethics by deliberately counseling his client to secrete assets and give sworn testimony indicating the client had no funds, and with violation of Canon 11 of the Canons of Professional Ethics with respect to the handling of trust fund property of his client in that he converted trust funds of his client to his own personal use. Respondent failed to file an answer within the time permitted.
On December 10, 1969, there was filed with the referee, a Motion to Stay Proceedings based on the fact that an Order had been entered by the County Judge, Sarasota County, on November 25, 1969, adjudicating the respondent incompetent, and, further, that respondent had been committed to a State Hospital under the Division of Mental Health. The proceedings were stayed by order of the referee *478 on December 18, 1969. Subsequently, on November 24, 1970, respondent was judicially restored to his competency and the matter was set for trial before the referee on December 18, 1970.
At the commencement of the trial there was filed a document, signed by the respondent, wherein he consented to this matter proceeding to final hearing, as scheduled, advising that he did not wish to appear nor present evidence in his defense and stipulating and consenting to the admission in evidence of the transcript of proceedings taken before the Grievance Committee of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit of The Florida Bar before W.T. Harrison, Jr., et al on the 22nd day of July, 1969.
After the hearing the referee entered his report dated February 2, 1971, in pertinent part as follows:
The referee also recommended that all costs and expenses, including the costs incurred in the matter by the Grievance Committee, be charged against respondent.
No request for hearing before us has been submitted by respondent.
The record and order of the referee have been examined by this Court and the recommendation of the referee is approved.
Accordingly, respondent, Sidney G. Beaver, is hereby suspended from the practice of law for a period of one year, and thereafter, until he can demonstrate his entitlement to reinstatement and he is ordered to pay the costs of the proceedings in the amount of $158.90.
It is so ordered.
ROBERTS, C.J., and ERVIN, BOYD, McCAIN and DEKLE, JJ., concur.