Opinion ID: 2450345
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Counts III & V

Text: ¶ 6 Originally the OBA Complaint contained five separate claims of professional misconduct. Counts III and V charged Cox with failing to properly and adequately respond to the [OBA] general counsel when asked to provide information regarding grievances submitted by former clients Jo Ann Burnett and James Edwards. [4] After receiving each client's protest, the OBA forwarded the grievances to Cox and asked for his response to the allegations. When Cox failed to address the inquiries, both matters were converted to formal investigations. On October 20, 2008, notices of the formal investigations were sent to Cox. Each letter informed Cox of the necessity to provide a sufficient response within twenty (20) days as required by RGDP Rule 5.2. After receiving no reply, the OBA delivered another letter to Cox on November 18, 2008, warning him that failure to comply would result in the issuance of a subpoena to compel his testimony and the production of applicable records. Nevertheless, Cox continued to disregard the requests, and approximately two months later, the OBA issued a subpoena duces tecum commanding Cox to appear for a deposition on January 28, 2009. Cox was properly served with the subpoena, yet he failed to appear. Instead, Cox faxed a letter to the OBA on the morning of January 28 seeking to reschedule the deposition. ¶ 7 Cox finally answered the formal inquiries on March 25, 2009. The OBA was dissatisfied with the lack of factual detail in his response letter, and the agency asked Cox to supply additional facts surrounding the complaints. When no response was forthcoming, the OBA sent two more letters to Cox expressing concern over his lack of compliance and urging a complete answer to the inquiries raised by the grievances. After the March 25th response letter, Cox never answered any of the OBA requests for information and made no attempt to reschedule the January 2009 deposition.