Opinion ID: 2334156
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: The Lang Matter [1]

Text: On June 27, 1986, respondent represented Jacob and Mary Lang in connection with their purchase of real property. As the closing statement indicates, there were two mortgage loans encumbering the property, in the approximate combined amount of $34,000. The total cash amount due from the Langs, at closing, was $6,969.29. See C-2 introduced into evidence at the ethics hearing of October 21, 1987. As the Langs' closing attorney, it was respondent's responsibility to utilize a portion of the closing proceeds to satisfy the two existing mortgages on the premises. Respondent testified, at the October 21, 1987 ethics hearing, that she collected three uncertified personal checks from the Langs, totaling $6,969.29. She testified further that she deposited the checks into her trust account and that she was unable to pay off the second mortgage when one of the checks was dishonored. Contrary to this testimony, however, in a letter sent to the accountant who audited her books and records several months following the closing, respondent admitted that the Langs had not brought their checkbook to the closing and that she had made an appointment for them to come to her office two days later, for the purpose of giving her the balance of the cash due at closing. See C-3 admitted into evidence at the ethics hearing of October 21, 1987. Several months after the closing of title, the second mortgage was finally cancelled of record. Following the conclusion of the ethics hearing, the presentment found that respondent had been guilty of misrepresentation when she prepared and delivered a closing statement indicating that she had collected sufficient monies from the Langs to make up the balance of the purchase price.