Opinion ID: 2604129
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Repayment of funds as mitigating factor.

Text: Petitioner objects to the finding that [his] repayment to [Gayles] did not constitute mitigation. No such finding was made. The referee specifically noted that repayment was made within five months of receipt of the settlement draft and identified this as the first of three mitigating factors. Petitioner's objection is mainly addressed to the argument of State Bar counsel that repayment was entitled to little weight because it was made in two installments. Petitioner contends that Gayles agreed to accept the installment payments. The record does not support petitioner's assertion and, in any event, petitioner's argument is irrelevant. The referee did not rely on the installment payments as affecting the weight to be given repayment as a mitigating factor. He discounted the payment only because it was made after Gayles had told petitioner that she would file a complaint with the State Bar.