Opinion ID: 1718430
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Count VI The Watters Matter

Text: In June 2005, respondent closed on the sale of property belonging to his client Troy Watters. The sale generated $32,000, which respondent was to use to pay off a mortgage balance owed to Regions Bank. Instead, respondent converted some of the funds to his own use. When Mr. Watters contacted respondent about why the mortgage had not been paid, he issued a $32,000 check to Regions Bank; however, there were not sufficient funds in the account to cover the check. Respondent later stopped payment on the check. Regions Bank then contacted respondent regarding the stop payment, and so respondent issued a $32,000 check from his client trust account, which also had insufficient funds. Nevertheless, his bank, Cross Keys Bank, honored the check, which created a $15,000 overdraft in his client trust account. The ODC alleges that respondent's conduct violated Rules 8.4(a), 8.4(b), and 8.4(c) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.