Opinion ID: 2210335
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Misappropriation and Trust Account Violations

Text: Respondent represented Kathleen Zieminski in a marriage dissolution. Pursuant to the dissolution, respondent held trust funds of $23,214.50 representing a property settlement for immediate payment. A check drawn on the trust fund account was returned for insufficient funds. Respondent also held $1,785.00 on Zieminski's behalf. At various periods in the spring of 1990 respondent did not have sufficient funds in the trust account to pay this sum. A review of the partial trust account books and records provided by respondent reveals that from October 1989 to February 1990 respondent continuously had less money in his trust account than the total amount owed to clients. Finally, respondent paid office expenses with trust account checks on five occasions. Respondent did not keep a cash receipts journal, a disbursements journal, or subsidiary ledgers for individual clients. On June 7, 1989, respondent falsely certified he maintained books and records as required by Minn.R.Prof.Conduct 1.15(g). Respondent's misappropriation of funds, failure to maintain books and records, and false certification violated Minn.R.Prof.Conduct 1.15 and 8.4(c).