Opinion ID: 1384769
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Thelma J. Matter

Text: During 1982 petitioner represented Rickye K. in a federal criminal trial. Rickye K. was convicted and imprisoned. In petitioner's presence, Thelma J., the fiancee of Rickye K., delivered a cashier's check in the amount of $2,750 to Joseph Cassignelli, a court reporter, as a deposit for preparation of the trial transcript required for Rickye K.'s appeal. Petitioner assured Thelma J. that any unused portion of the deposit would be refunded to her. In April 1983 Cassignelli delivered a check made out to petitioner in the amount of $1,350 as a partial refund of the transcript deposit. Petitioner called Rickye K. in prison. He told Rickye K. that he intended to deposit the check in his personal bank account and apply the sum to the balance owed him for Rickye K.'s representation. As petitioner stated before the hearing panel, I said, I'm going to take this check, it's made payable to me, and I'm going to cash this check and apply it to what you owe me, because I understand, as you told me, it was money that you put up. He didn't say anything about it being Thelma [J.'s] check. He said well, buddy, I'm in jail, there's not much I can do about it. Thelma J. informed petitioner that the money belonged to her and demanded that he return the refund. Petitioner refused, and has never reimbursed her. On at least one occasion petitioner stated to Thelma J. that if she persisted in her attempt to recover the money, he would go to the Attorney General and implicate her in matters for which Rickye K. had been prosecuted.