Opinion ID: 4413282
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Insufficient Fraud Allegation

Text: We also reject Mr. Justice’s argument that the Board failed to plead fraud with sufficient specificity. The Board’s petition for discipline clearly states which Rules of Professional Conduct Mr. Justice allegedly violated and the facts alleged to constitute the violations. Mr. Justice filed a response to the petition, but after doing so he moved to dismiss the petition and in the alternative requested a more definite statement, citing Tennessee Rule of Civil Procedure 12.05.19 Because he had filed a response, Rule 12.05 technically did not apply, but the Hearing Panel nonetheless granted his motion in part and required the Board to identify the Itemization entries that it alleged were false. The 212, 213 (Ga. 1986); In re Snyder, 897 N.Y.S.2d 398, 399–400 (N.Y. App. Div. 2010); In re Muraskin, 731 N.Y.S 2d 458 (N.Y. App. Div. 2001); State v. Postorino, 193 N.W.2d 1, 3 (Wis. 1972). 19 Tennessee Rule of Civil Procedure 12.05 provides that “[i]f a pleading to which a responsive pleading is permitted is so vague or ambiguous that a party cannot reasonably be required to frame a responsive pleading, the party may move for a more definite statement before interposing a responsive pleading.” Tenn. R. Civ. P. 12.05. - 23 - Board then identified the seventeen entries, quoted herein, that it alleged were copied from Mr. Kerschberg’s invoices. Thus, contrary to Mr. Justice’s assertions, the Board provided him with very specific notice of the allegations of fraud and the claims against him. This issue is without merit.