Opinion ID: 2050973
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 12

Heading: Petitioner's Other Acts of Adjudicated Misconduct

Text: 52. Petitioner was informally admonished, on October 21, 1977, for conduct that occurred in 1976, while he represented a defendant in a widely publicized murder trial. BX 2; Tr. II 3-6. During the trial, his first criminal case, he induced the client to execute an assignment of insurance proceeds from her husband, the deceased, thereby turning his legal fee into a forbidden contingency in a criminal case. Tr. II 4-6. Petitioner was found to have violated DR 2-106(C). BX 2. 53. Petitioner was informally admonished in 1981 for conduct that occurred in 1980, when he represented a client in a Social Security matter. BX 3; Tr. II 8-11. He was found to have violated DR 2-106, in that he had charged an excessive fee, and DR 1-102(A)(5), in that he had failed to cooperate with Bar Counsel. BX 3; Tr. II 11. He refunded $150 to his client. BX 3. 54. The Board on Professional Responsibility informally admonished Petitioner, on March 3, 1989, for neglect of a legal matter entrusted to him, in violation of DR 6-101(A)(3). BX 4; Tr. II 20. Discipline was based upon his failure to form a subchapter S corporation. BX 4; Tr. II 23. His malpractice carrier settled the civil matter for $90,000. Tr. II 25.
55. In 1990, Petitioner was diagnosed with a tumor of the parotid gland. BX 32 at 2. Petitioner waited until 1992 to undergo surgery for the tumor. BX B at attachment 4, 32 at 2-3; Tr. I 192-94, Tr. II 37. At the time, he feared that the tumor was cancerous, but it proved not to be so. During this time period, he went to work, shut the door, took the telephone off the hook, and slept. Tr. I 193, Tr. II 37. 56. Petitioner was diagnosed with glaucoma in 1992. BX 34 at 1. Prior to the diagnosis, he was terrified to sleep at night, for fear that his vision would worsen. Tr. II 38. In 1995, he underwent laser surgery, but he has suffered a permanent loss of most of the vision in his left eye. BX 34 at 1. He has moderate myopia in his right eye, which is corrected with glasses. BX 34 at 3. He uses a magnifier, special glasses, and glare-reducing filters to enhance his vision. BX B attachment 2. He manages his glaucoma with medication. BX 34 at 3. 57. Petitioner has used the rehabilitation services of Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind. BX B at Attachment 2; Tr. I at 188-90. Petitioner has learned how to conduct on-line research and to use the Internet through a special program with Howard University School of Law. Tr. II at 122. He attends the National Capital Citizens with Low Vision support group. BX B at attachment 2. He also has attended a program sponsored by the Maryland Department of Education for low-vision or sight-impaired attorneys. Tr. I 40. 58. Petitioner currently is under treatment for high blood pressure, with medication. Id. 195.
59. In 1985, Petitioner met with Dr. Kenneth Smothers, a psychiatrist, for treatment for depression and to discuss concerns about Petitioner's difficulties in health and mood. Id. 101. Petitioner did not comply with the treatment recommended by Dr. Smothers. Id. 101-02. 60. On January 30 and February 17, 1995, at Bar Counsel's request, Petitioner met with Dr. Richard A. Ratner. BX 32 at 1. Dr. Ratner's psychological testing revealed that Petitioner had a moderately severe mental disorder. Id. at 5. Dr. Ratner's tests portrayed Petitioner as a narcissistic individual with an inflated sense of self-worth. Id. Petitioner used denial when faced with unpleasant circumstances and blamed others for his failures. Id. at 6. He fired three secretaries during the period and on one occasion yelled at a judge. Tr. I 43. At one point, he telephoned an opponent's secretary and yelled at her, calling her employer names. Id. 43-44. 61. In 1995, Petitioner experienced a depressive disorder resulting in a loss of self-confidence, dejection, and low self-esteem. BX 32 at 6; Tr. II 173. He also experienced anxiety symptoms, which manifested themselves physically as a rapid heart beat, sweating, muscular pains, and a feeling of being on edge. BX 32 at 6. 62. Petitioner exhibited signs of manic mood swings through his decreased need for sleep, restlessness, pressured speech and hyper-distractibility. BX 32 at 6; Tr. II 175. Dr. Ratner believed that whether Petitioner would accept treatment was a real toss-up based on . . . a narcissistic-injury. Tr. II 186. 63. Rev. Richard Simon testified that Petitioner was a wreck and went off in rages. Tr. I 52. 64. On February 7, 1996, Petitioner entered psychotherapy with Dr. Smothers. BX 33 at 2; Tr. I 102. Petitioner continued to receive weekly psychotherapy until August 5, 1998. Tr. I 102. His weekly sessions ended upon the loss of his health insurance. Id. 65. When Petitioner first entered treatment with Dr. Smothers in 1996, major depression appeared to be his primary problem. Id. 103. Dr. Smothers also diagnosed a personality disordernarcissistic with dependent features. Id. 66. Dr. Smothers placed Petitioner on Wellbutrin, an antidepressant, and Buspar, an antianxiety medication and antidepressant. BX 33 at 2; Tr. I 112. The medications were discontinued in late 1997, after Petitioner's symptoms went into remission. Tr. I 113. Petitioner also received Restoril to manage his insomnia, which was related to marital difficulties. BX 33 at 2. 67. By June 1998, Petitioner exhibited no active signs of depression. BX 33 at 2; Tr. I 104. Since he began psychotherapy in February 1996, Petitioner has improved in his recognition and acceptance of responsibility. BX 33 at 2. He also has experienced a significant decline in the use of defense mechanisms, and his decision-making ability has improved. Id. at 1; Tr. I 105. Rev. Simon testified that Petitioner had made progress by leaps and bounds. Tr. I 53. 68. Dr. Smothers testified that, in his opinion, Petitioner is fit to return to the practice of law. Id. 105. Although Petitioner's skills for coping with stress have improved, Dr. Smothers recommends that Petitioner receive supportive therapy for approximately six to eight months as he reintegrates back into law practice. Tr. I 105, 122. Dr. Ratner supports Dr. Smothers' recommendation that Petitioner receive supportive therapy if he is reinstated. Tr. II 194. Dr. Ratner also recommends a practice monitor. Tr. II 195. 69. Petitioner had marital difficulties stemming from the decline in his health and dissolution of his practice. Petitioner has reconciled with his wife and has undergone marriage counseling.

70. Petitioner was a signatory on his law firm's trust account. Tr. II 107. Between November 30, 1990 and April 30, 1991, the account was overdrawn on 26 separate occasions. BX 22 at 1. In December 1991, Bar Counsel recommended to Petitioner changes in the operation of the account, based upon an audit undertaken by a certified public accountant. BX 22. 71. Between January 1994 and April 1995, Petitioner's law firm operating account was consistently overdrawn, despite the transfer of $164,705 from the law firm's trust account to the operating account. BX 23 at 3. Petitioner was a signatory on the operating account and wrote counter checks on it, but he testified that he was unaware of the number of times that the operating account was overdrawn. Tr. II 107. 72. On or about January 11, 1995, Petitioner's law partner, George Tillerson, wired $300,000 out of the trust account to an investment company in Atlanta, Georgia. BX 23 at 3, 26, 27. [4] Petitioner testified that he had no idea that the funds had been sent out. Tr. II 109. First American Title Insurance Company later sued Petitioner for recovery of the wired funds. BX 25. Petitioner testified that he had notified his partner and the firm that he had agreed to a practice monitor with the Office of Bar Counsel and an audit by a CPA. That notice, he believes, precipitated his partner's $300,000 investment scheme to try to cover trust-account deficits unknown to Petitioner. Tr. I 90-91. The loss of the funds nearly cost a client a parcel of real property near the new football stadium in Maryland. Tr. I 92-93. Petitioner's church, Way of the Cross Church of Christ, advanced him $150,000 to repay the debt to the client. Tr. I 93-94. Petitioner recognizes that Mr. Tillerson took advantage of him, but also that he lapsed in supervising Mr. Tillerson adequately. Tr. I 82-83. 73. The Hearing Committee took evidence on restitution and exerted considerable effort toward specifying what Petitioner has repaid and what he still owes. Because no plan for the remaining restitution was in the evidence before the Board, the Board requested that Petitioner and Bar Counsel supplement and clarify the record on restitution. A copy of Petitioner's Affidavit supplementing the record is attached to this Report and Recommendation. [5] 74. Petitioner has made restitution in the amount of thousands of dollars to clients and doctors since he was suspended. Tr. I 138-39. He estimated the total repaid restitution as of the hearing as $189,000. Tr. I 139. He testified that restitution had forced him into a foreclosure on his home and personal bankruptcy. Id. For example, at the time of the hearing, Petitioner had paid $5,000 in restitution to one client (Cornish), $20,000 to another, unnamed client, and $18,000 to Capital City Investment Co. Tr. II 43-44. 75. Petitioner never made restitution to Mr. Madison. Tr. II 40. Petitioner has informed the Board that restitution of $650 will be made to Mr. Madison by May 2001. Petitioner's Affidavit, Jan. 2, 2001 (Petitioner's Affidavit). 76. Petitioner had paid much of the restitution owed to his client, Jacqueline King, including $1,350 since the hearing. Id. He still owes her $1,600, her doctor over $1,500, and a Neurology Center $1,750. He has secured the remaining King obligations with a promissory note that he promises to pay by May 2001. Id. 77. Petitioner owes the Gunthrop Estate $4,500. Tr. II 110 11. He is investigating whether this amount was paid out of a settlement. Petitioner's Affidavit. 78. Petitioner owes $2,500 to LeRoy Allen. He has represented to the Board that he will make payments of $150 monthly for four years. Id. He owes $4,500 to Joyce Johnson, which he has informed the Board he will pay in monthly installments of $200 for four years. Id. 79. Petitioner owed the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland $90 for a bounced check, but he testified that he had made arrangements to pay the bill. Tr. II 43. 80. At the time of the hearing, Petitioner owed his church approximately $50,000, based upon its loan to assist him in repaying a client who had suffered losses as the result of his partner's theft from the firm's trust account. Tr. I 165, Tr. II 44. At the time of the first hearing in this matter, Petitioner was employed as director of development for Way of the Cross Church of Christ, which is a nationwide organization of 50 churches. He earned $2,000 a month as an independent contractor. Tr. I 33, 50, 143. At the September 1999 hearing, Petitioner testified he was working for the church as a setoff to the money he owed them. In his supplemental submission to the Board, Petitioner has presented convincing proof that the debt to the church has been satisfied.
81. On January 2, 1998, Petitioner filed a voluntary bankruptcy petition with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland. BX C at attachment B; Tr. I 159. Schedule E of the petition reflects that Petitioner owed the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) $74,649, the Maryland Comptroller of the Treasury $10,175, and the District of Columbia Department of Finance and Revenue $11,668.21. BX C at Attachment B. 82. Petitioner filed his individual 1995, 1996, and 1997 federal tax returns on June 15, 1998. BX C at Attachment D. His 1995 return reflects a balance of $1,463 owed the IRS. BX C at Attachment D. His 1996 and 1997 returns show balances owed of $7,429 and $3,486 respectively. BX C at Attachment D. At the time of the hearing, he had not paid these balances, Tr. I 183 84, and estimated his debt to the IRS as $27,000. 83. Petitioner informed the Board that, as of January 2001, he was in the process of attempting to compromise the debt to the IRS. Petitioner's Affidavit. Petitioner is willing to pay approximately $35,000. Id. His church is willing to loan him funds to pay that amount. Id. 84. Petitioner filed his individual 1995, 1996, and 1997 Maryland tax returns on June 15, 1998. BX C at Attachment D. His 1995 Maryland return reflects a balance of $812 owed the Comptroller of the Treasury. Id. His 1996 and 1997 returns show balances owed of $995 and $825 respectively. Id. At the time of the hearing, he had not paid these balances. Tr. I 183-84. At the time of the hearing, Petitioner estimated his debt to the State of Maryland at $7,686 and his debt to the District of Columbia at $11,000. 85. Petitioner informed the Board in January 2001 that he had borrowed funds to pay the Maryland and District of Columbia tax obligations. Petitioner's Affidavit. He is repaying the loan at the rate of $250 per month for three years. Id.
86. Petitioner has continued to perform legal research, under the supervision of other attorneys. He has drafted motions and memoranda for pending cases and submitted them to the attorneys handling the cases for their use. Tr. II 137. 87. Petitioner has monitored classes at Howard University Law School to stay current in the law. Tr. I 122, 125. 88. Petitioner completed a course in professional responsibility in 1998. 89. Petitioner has learned how to use Lexis and Nexis to conduct legal research. 90. In his supplemental submission to the Board in January 2001, Petitioner clarified his future plans if he is reinstated to the Bar. He plans to work, for approximately one year, for Way of the Cross Church of Christ. During that period, he intends to prepare for private practice through the Bar's law office management and counseling programs. Petitioner has participated in the Lawyers Counseling Program since April 2000. He then intends to enter private practice with Edward Kimmel, Esquire, as an associate.