Opinion ID: 1189051
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Fourth Cause.

Text: From our independent review of the evidence, we find the facts to be as follows: From April through November, 1982, the accused represented Lafky in matters relating to a marriage dissolution proceeding. In mid-November 1982, Lafky delivered to the accused at his office a check from the Oregon Department of Revenue in the amount of $498 and payable to her former husband. Apparently, the check was a homeowner's property tax refund payment. The accused signed the name of the payee, endorsed the check with his signature, negotiated the check and deposited the proceeds in the accused's trust account. Thereafter, he delivered a check drawn on his trust account, in the amount of $498, made payable to both Lafky and her former husband. When the former husband's lawyer found out about the negotiation of the check, she made a conditional demand upon the accused for return of the check or the proceeds therefrom. The accused had no authorization from the former husband of his client to sign the check with the former husband's name. Ultimately, the accused returned the amount of $498 to the Oregon Department of Revenue and the Department of Revenue issued another check to the client's former husband. The accused defends his actions by contending that he believed that the check had been delivered to his client with authority to endorse the check and that his course of action was in compliance with the decree of dissolution. There is no evidence that the accused intended to keep the money for himself, but the record is clear that the accused knew he had no authority from his client's former husband to sign the husband's name to the check. He therefore engaged in misrepresentation proscribed by DR 1-102(A)(4) and we conclude that he is guilty of a violation thereof.