Opinion ID: 1357458
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Annie Laurie Bendt Matter

Text: Annie Laurie Bendt is engaged in the business of buying and selling real estate in Charleston. In December of 1994, respondent received $189,995.93 as Bendt's escrow agent. In March of 1995, Bendt gave respondent approximately $23,000 to hold in relation to an option to purchase property. In April of 1995, Bendt gave respondent $142,153.23 which she received after a closing, bringing the total of her funds held by respondent $355,149.16. During the spring of 1995, Bendt received part of her money, thereby reducing the balance of her funds held by respondent to $133,539.83. In October, Bendt needed $83,495.76 to purchase property in Georgia. At that time, respondent did not have sufficient funds in his trust account to give Bendt that sum, but arranged for an artificial balance through a check kiting scheme with a third party. Respondent did not give Bendt the funds she needed until eight days after she requested them. In December of 1994, Bendt sold a home. On behalf of Bendt, respondent received a check payable to MARCAR Title Insurance Agency. [1] Respondent endorsed the check and deposited it into his trust account. In April of 1995, Bendt sold another home. As part of the transaction, she wrote a check to MARCAR Title Insurance Agency, which respondent also endorsed and deposited into his trust account. Furthermore, MARCAR was reflected as the seller in the April transaction even though respondent had no right to use MACAR as an intermediary for any transaction.