Opinion ID: 1209474
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Purchase of Vehicles.

Text: In February of 1983, Phil Long Ford sold two Ford Broncos to A.F. Resources. On February 12, 1983, the respondent paid for both vehicles in full with two checks drawn on his account at the Bank of Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. One of the checks was for more than $19,000 and the other for more than $18,000, and each was returned by the bank to the car dealer on two occasions because the respondent's account contained insufficient funds. At the time the respondent wrote the checks he believed that loan proceeds well in excess of the combined amounts of these checks would be wired into his account from a bank in New Orleans. Shortly after he made arrangements for such a loan, however, the New Orleans bank changed its position and stopped the loan. Eventually, the dealer recovered both cars. The dealer, however, contacted the El Paso County Sheriff's Department and requested an investigation. As a result, charges were filed against the respondent alleging that he had committed fraud by check, a class 4 felony under section 18-5-205(2) and (3)(c), 8 C.R.S. (1978 & 1984 Supp.), and theft, a class 3 felony under section 18-4-401(1) and (2)(d), 8 C.R.S. (1978). These charges resulted in a deferred prosecution on December 5, 1983, see § 16-7-401, 8 C.R.S. (1978 & 1984 Supp.), under the terms of which the respondent was to be supervised by a probation officer for two years, was required to pay costs and restitution totaling $4,826.96, was to undergo alcohol treatment and therapy as directed by the probation officer, and was to supply information and testify if necessary against the principal in A.F. Resources who was also involved in the purchase of the vehicles. The stipulation states that the respondent's conduct in the car purchase matter violated DR1-102(A)(6) (engaging in conduct that adversely reflects on fitness to practice law) and therefore constitutes grounds for discipline under C.R.C.P. 241.6(5) (any act or omission that violates the criminal laws of the State of Colorado). In mitigation, the stipulation recognizes that during the period of time in which the respondent's professional misconduct took place, his life was in turmoil as a result of marital discord and divorce proceedings. The respondent has had a severe alcohol problem, has begun to deal successfully with this problem, and is complying with all conditions of the deferred prosecution including those conditions relating to alcohol treatment. On November 8, 1984, supervision of the respondent by the probation department was terminated and the case file was closed. The respondent has never engaged in the practice of law extensively. He has concentrated mostly on business ventures such as A.F. Resources and was inexperienced in the handling of client funds. The respondent has relocated to Texas, is not practicing law in Colorado or Texas, and is employed by a title company in Dallas. The respondent has received one prior letter of admonition, based upon misrepresentation of his educational credentials to the El Paso County Bar Association. Under the circumstances of this case, we agree that a six-month suspension and payment of costs is a fitting disciplinary sanction for the respondent's professional transgressions. In the stipulation, the respondent expressly recognizes that ordinarily when an attorney is suspended for one year or less it is not necessary to comply with the provisions of C.R.C.P. 241.22 to obtain reinstatement, but that this is an appropriate requirement in the present case. In view of the seriousness of the respondent's professional misconduct, we agree. The respondent, Garry Owen Doolittle, is suspended from the practice of law for six months from the date of this opinion and, as a condition of reinstatement, he shall fully satisfy the terms and conditions of C.R.C.P. 241.22. It is further ordered that the respondent shall pay the costs of this disciplinary proceeding in the amount of $210.16 to the Colorado Supreme Court Grievance Committee, Dominion Plaza Building, 600 17th Street, No. 520-S, Denver, Colorado 80202, within thirty days from the date of this opinion.