Opinion ID: 1539570
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 19

Heading: 1311 Gilpin Avenue

Text: 30. On May 27, 2005, the Respondent acted as the settlement agent for his purchase of 1311 Gilpin Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19806 (the 1311 Gilpin Avenue transaction) from seller CIELO Investments, LLC. The Respondent obtained financing from GMAC Bank for this purchase. On May 28, 2005, the Respondent sold this property to Sunset. 31. As the settlement agent for this purchase transaction, the Respondent had a professional obligation to ensure that the transaction was appropriately documented, including by obtaining notarizations performed in accordance with proper legal procedures. 32. The mortgage for the 1311 Gilpin Avenue transaction purports that the instrument was acknowledged before Ward and notarized by him on May 27, 2005. However, the Respondent signed this document outside of Ward's presence, and then provided it to another person along with a direction to obtain Ward's notarization.