Opinion ID: 1727984
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: recommendation as to disciplinary measures to be applied:

Text: I recommend that the Respondent be suspended from the practice of law in Florida for a period of two (2) years and indefinitely thereafter until he shall have proved rehabilitation. Since Respondent was temporarily suspended in February of 1977, I recommend that his two year suspension begin as of that date. Implicit in this recommendation is that Respondent be eligible for reinstatement if he is able to show rehabilitation and I recommend that proof of rehabilitation include, in addition, to his general fitness the following specific terms and conditions: 1. That Respondent remain active in Alcoholics Anonymous; 2. That Respondent shall make restitution to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ervin of the sum of $1,200.00; 3. Respondent shall, within forty-five days after this Report is accepted by The Supreme Court of Florida, account for all funds received from inmates of Raiford Prison, Belle Glade Correctional Institute or other inmates for whom work was to be performed and fees were received during the period commencing October, 1975 and ending with Respondent's temporary suspension in February of 1977. Respondent shall file this list with the Clerk of The Supreme Court, copy to Staff Counsel and shall, as a condition of proof of rehabilitation, make restitution to each of said inmates of an amount deemed appropriate by Staff Counsel or if such can not be agreed upon between Staff Counsel and Respondent, by appropriate recommendation of a Referee appointed by The Supreme Court of the State of Florida, taking into consideration, the amount received and the work performed for each inmate. 4. Respondent shall comply with the notice provision of Integration Rule 11.10(6) as it applies specifically to the Ervins and the inmates referred to in the preceding paragraph. 5. That the Respondent shall reimburse The Florida Bar the sum of $1,500.00 as that portion of the costs incurred which should be taxed against Respondent. Having carefully reviewed the record, we find the allegations of the complaint and each count thereof to be proved either by admissions of the respondent or by clear and convincing evidence. We therefore approve the findings and recommendations of the referee. Accordingly, respondent, Daniel W. Meserve, is hereby suspended from the practice of law for a period of two years and, thereafter, until he shall prove his rehabilitation under Florida Bar Integration Rule, article XI, Rule 11.10(3). The suspension shall be effective as of February 10, 1977. Proof of rehabilitation shall include, but not be limited to, full compliance with the specific terms and conditions contained in the referee's report. Costs of proceedings in the gross sum of $2,092.70 have been certified to this Court by The Florida Bar. The referee recommends that only $1,500 of the costs of the proceedings be borne by the respondent. Accordingly, costs in the sum of $1,500 are hereby taxed against the respondent the full payment of which shall be a condition to any application for reinstatement. It is so ordered. ADKINS, Acting C.J., and BOYD, SUNDBERG and HATCHETT, JJ., concur. ALDERMAN, J., dissents with an opinion.