Opinion ID: 1297972
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Destruction of Bruce Bills

Text: The Board proceeded with copies of the Bruce bills obtained from Rhonda Boykin, an ex-employee of respondent's. The original bills were never located. The Panel and Executive Committee found respondent had destroyed the Bruce bills on February 8, 1994. Respondent contends the Panel and Executive Committee erred in making this finding. In its report, the Panel carefully weighed the evidence on this allegation and, after an in-depth discussion, concluded there was clear and convincing evidence respondent had destroyed the bills. We agree. The Panel's findings are entitled to great weight. Matter of Lake, 269 S.C. 170, 236 S.E.2d 812 (1977). The Panel's finding and the concurrence of the full Board are advisory only and not binding upon the Court. These are, however, entitled to great respect, particularly when the transcript is lengthy and the inferences to be drawn from the testimony depend largely on the credibility of the witnesses which, of course, is assessed best by personal observation at the hearing. In re Bloom, 265 S.C. 86, 217 S.E.2d 143 (1975). See also In re Friday, 263 S.C. 156, 208 S.E.2d 535 (1974). The following evidence was considered. After learning there was an investigation regarding the bills, Rhonda testified she copied the bills with Denise Newlan for fear something would happen to them. Newlan corroborated this. Further, Rhonda testified she gave respondent the bills on February 8th and saw respondent with a torn bill in her hand. Thereafter, she testified she heard tearing for 30-45 minutes coming from respondent's office. There was no evidence Rhonda had a motive or reason to he. Respondent gave Rhonda a $10,000 raise effective March 1, 1994. This reflected a 50% pay increase. Respondent contends this raise was for an increase in the workload because a paralegal, Denise Newlan, had quit. However, Rhonda was a secretary/bookkeeper and could not perform paralegal work. The pay raise coincided with a meeting which Rhonda testified took place between Rhonda, respondent, and an attorney. Rhonda had been urged to see this attorney by respondent. During her meeting with the attorney, Rhonda testified she told him about respondent's destruction of the Bruce bills. The next day respondent met with the attorney and Rhonda and respondent pled with Rhonda to reconsider what she had perceived to be the destruction of the bills. Respondent denies this meeting ever took place. Respondent contends an ex-employee, Bobbie Langley, took the bills when she was fired nine month earlier in May 1993. However, both Rhonda and Denise Newlan testified they saw the bills and copied them on February 4, 1994. Respondent contends Langley could have gained access to her office at a later time and stolen the bills as part of an ill-will scheme against respondent. Respondent filed a police report on February 8, 1994, suggesting Langley had taken these files with her when she left in May 1993. Other than respondent's bare allegations, there is no evidence to support this theory. Respondent has the burden of showing the recommendation of the Panel and Executive Committee should not be followed by the Court. In re Pride, 276 S.C. 363, 278 S.E.2d 774 (1981). Here, credibility of the witnesses is crucial in determining whether respondent destroyed the bills. The Panel was in a much better position to review credibility of the witnesses than this Court is on a cold record. [3] We conclude there is clear and convincing evidence to support a finding respondent destroyed the Bruce bills.