Opinion ID: 2569696
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Tillotson Complaint

Text: In late 1995, attorney John Tillotson referred a medical malpractice case to Sachse. The name of the client was Latisha May Thomas. At the time of the referral, Tillotson sent Sachse numerous personal and medical records belonging to Thomas. Tillotson also sent a bill in the amount of $677.50 to Sachse for the medical records he had acquired for Thomas. Sachse reached a settlement of the case on September 4, 1996, in the amount of $25,000. At the settlement conference, Sachse told Thomas that Tillotson had already been reimbursed for the expenses he incurred in obtaining the medical records. Thomas requested that Sachse return her personal items and medical records, and Sachse agreed. On September 4, 1996, Sachse sent Thomas a settlement statement. The statement showed that Sachse had deducted expenses from the settlement amount, including the $677.50 owed to Tillotson. Sachse failed to return to Thomas her personal items and medical records, although Thomas made many written and oral requests. Sachse also failed to pay to Tillotson the $677.50 deducted from Thomas' settlement for that purpose. Tillotson complained to the Disciplinary Administrator and the investigation of the matter ensued. The Disciplinary Administrator then filed a complaint, alleging that Sachse had failed to cooperate with the investigation in that he provided no written response to the complaint as requested by the investigator. Sachse stipulated to the facts outlined above, except that he denied in his answer to the complaint and at the hearing before the panel that he told Thomas that Tillotson had already been reimbursed for the expenses Tillotson incurred in obtaining the medical records. Sachse admitted the alleged violations.