Opinion ID: 1711209
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The cause or causes for suspension.

Text: ¶ 8. Flautt readily acknowledged the commingling and misuse of trust account funds in three instances, totaling approximately $75,000, and expressed regret and contrition for his misconduct. He provided specific details of personal and traumatic events in his life, including the deaths of his parents and his wife's parents during approximately four years immediately prior to the misconduct which resulted in his suspension. He sought evaluation of his psychological condition and undertook therapy, training, and counseling to prevent such misconduct from manifesting itself again. He also has relied on the evaluation and conclusions of his psychologist and physician that he has reached the point where he is able to seek reinstatement. Attached to Flautt's petition for reinstatement were two letters, dated August 17, and September 24, 2003, from his physician, Milton D. Hobbs, M.D., and one letter dated September 12, 2003, from his psychologist, David S. Hargrove, Ph.D. All recounted Flautt's bouts with depression and his recovery from it. He has not required medication since 2000, and both Dr. Hobbs and Dr. Hargrove indicate that Flautt no longer exhibits signs or symptoms of depression and has reached maximum medical improvement. Dr. Hargrove saw Flautt on a regular basis from October 1999, to August 2002, when Dr. Hargrove left Mississippi. Since that time he has seen Flautt nine times, on occasions when he has returned to Oxford on business. Dr. Hargrove wrote in his September 12, 2003, letter that Flautt was profoundly affected by four deaths of significant people in his life in a brief period of time immediately prior to the time period of the incidents which gave rise to the Formal Complaint. The depression appeared to be related to an accumulation of traumatic events in which he was able to do little or nothing. The impact of the trauma influenced both his personal and professional functioning. Dr. Hargrove concluded his letter by saying if there were similar traumatic events in [Flautt's] life [in the future] it is my opinion that he would handle the situation entirely different and would seek help again if need be. We find no need for further medical or psychological examinations of Flautt as a condition for reinstatement. ¶ 9. This requirement has been fully met.