Opinion ID: 2598451
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Topeka Lawyers Club

Text: In 2001, the Respondent served as Secretary/Treasurer for a social club known as the Topeka Lawyers Club. In that capacity, he was responsible for making the deposits, paying the bills, and balancing the checkbook. From September 2001, through December 2001, the Respondent wrote four checks to himself, drawn on the Topeka Lawyers Club checking account, in the total amount of $3,000. The Topeka Lawyers Club did not owe him any money, nor did he have the authority of the club to write himself the checks. In an attempt to repay a portion of the money Respondent had taken, on February 8, 2002, he wrote a check to the Topeka Lawyers Club in the amount of $1,500. However, because the Respondent did not have sufficient funds in his account to cover the check, the check was returned. The next month, on March 2, he wrote a check to the club in the amount of $2,000. Later that month, on March 13, Thomas D. Haney, the club president, reviewed the monthly statement of the club's checking account. Included in the bank envelope with the statement was the Respondent's original $1,500 check that had been returned. Mr. Haney then telephoned the Respondent and scheduled a meeting regarding the club's checking account. Initially, the Respondent told Mr. Haney that he had paid the bill incurred at the club Christmas party because, at the time the bill was due, the club did not have sufficient funds to pay the bill. On March 15, 2002, Mr. Haney and the Respondent met, and Respondent admitted that he made unauthorized, no-interest loans to himself from the club account to meet his personal financial obligations. At that time, the Respondent provided Mr. Haney with a check in the amount of $1,000 made payable to the club. Mr. Haney then conducted a thorough audit of the club's checking account and discovered that the Respondent owed an additional $587 in fees that he had not paid for himself and for cash paid that was not deposited. One week later, on March 22, the Respondent tendered his resignation from the club and provided Mr. Haney with a check in the amount of $587. Although he did not admit that he owed this additional money, he paid it to avoid further involvement. The Respondent testified at the disciplinary hearing that, at the time he had taken this money, he had intended to pay it back. Based upon the Respondent's testimony and his repayments prior to Mr. Haney learning of his loans, the hearing panel found that the Respondent did intend to repay the money. Additionally, he testified that he had taken the money from his club because he needed it to meet his personal obligations.