Opinion ID: 1971625
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Failure to Maintain Financial Records

Text: Bar Counsel also argues that Mr. Cloud's failure to maintain financial records relating to his Escrow Account rose to the level of recklessness because the ledger associated with the account could not be found. In light of the testimony that the ledger was lost inadvertently during an office move, however, the Board concluded that no ethical violation occurred. We agree with the Board. While Rule 1.15(a) and Bar Rule XI, § 19(f), require attorneys who deposit funds in bank accounts to keep complete records of those accounts for five years, the evidence supports the finding that Mr. Cloud's loss of the ledger was unintentional. Bar Counsel offered no evidence to the contrary, and the cases that Bar Counsel cites in support of a finding of recklessness involved losses of financial records that were either unexplained, as in In re Jones, 521 A.2d 1119, 1122 (D.C.1986), or explained but with an explanation that the Board found incredible, as in In re Cooper, 591 A.2d at 1295-1296. This case is different. During Mr. Cloud's office move, some boxes were mistakenly left behind, and when Mr. Cloud went back to look for them, they could not be found. Mr. Cloud's testimony and that of his wife concerning the loss of the ledger was specifically found credible by the hearing committee, and the Board's reliance on it is therefore entitled to deference. See In re Berryman, 764 A.2d at 766. A finding of reckless misconduct based on the disappearance of the ledger is not warranted.