Opinion ID: 1933803
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Client Advances

Text: Figliola next claims that the Board erred in failing to consider the client advances in excess of the $6,000 for which he was credited. [12] These are important, he argues, because they show: (1) that the ratio of disbursements to advances was not as great as it seemed; (2) that he did not try to damage Facciolo financially; and (3) that Facciolo suffered no monetary loss. This contention similarly lacks merit. First, the ratio of personal disbursements to client advances was only one of several factors that the Board considered in calculating Figliola's level of culpability. See Respondent's Appendix at 103-110, In re Figliola, slip op. at 1-8. Second, Figliola's contentions that he did not mean to harm, and in fact did not harm, Facciolo are irrelevant. Figliola could not prove that the $6,000 he paid out of his drawing account, for which he was not granted credit, was for legitimate Firm business. In light of this fact, the Board could not consider this as an appropriate advancement. Figliola counters that the drawing account was used in support of his tax preparation business, and since this business required little or no cost advancements, all advancements must have been for Firm clients. This conclusion is not credible and does not flow logically from Figliola's argument. Although the tax preparation business required few cost advancements, it is possible that Figliola removed the funds in that account for personal reasons. Figliola's claim, while suggesting that the funds were not removed for tax preparation purposes, does not support his contention that the funds must have been removed for Firm purposes.