Opinion ID: 852045
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: Prior relevant disciplinary actions against Respondent. The Commission filed a verified complaint against Respondent on February 25, 2004, initiating Cause No. 82S00-0402-DI-90. In a per curiam opinion, this Court found that Respondent wrote unauthorized checks totaling $10,500 on the firm's trust account. Respondent made false statements regarding the matter during the Commission's investigation and at the hearing. The Court concluded that Respondent violated these Professional Rules of Conduct prohibiting the following misconduct: Rule 1.15(a): Failure to hold property of clients properly in trust. Rule 8.4(b): Committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer. Rule 8.4(c): Engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation. The Court imposed a suspension of at least three years, which is still in effect. See Matter of Patterson, 888 N.E.2d 752 (Ind.2008). On April 30, 2009, this Court entered an order finding Respondent in contempt for practicing law while suspended and imposed a $500 fine. See Matter of Patterson, 907 N.E.2d 970 (Ind.2009). On January 26, 2011, Respondent was convicted on a guilty plea to three counts of Theft, all class D felonies (the convictions that are the basis of the current action). The Commission filed a Notice of Guilty Finding and Request for Suspension on February 21, 2011, initiating Cause No. 82S00-1102-DI-96. The Court entered an order of interim suspension on April 28, 2011, which is still in effect. See Matter of Patterson, 945 N.E.2d 705 (Ind. 2011). The current action. The Commission filed a Verified Complaint for Disciplinary Action against Respondent on November 14, 2011. Based on Respondent's felony convictions described above, the Commission charged Respondent with violating these Professional Rules of Conduct prohibiting the following misconduct: Rule 8.4(b): Committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer. Rule 8.4(c): Engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation. Respondent was served with the complaint and did not respond. Accordingly, the hearing officer took the facts alleged in the complaint as true. See Admis. Disc. R. 23(14)(c). The hearing officer found that Respondent was convicted on a guilty plea to three counts of Theft, all class D felonies. The charges were based on exercising unauthorized control over funds in excess of $17,000 belonging to 24 clients or former clients. The funds included prepaid attorney fees and filing fees. Respondent was sentenced to three years on each count, with one year executed, to be served concurrently.