Opinion ID: 2163978
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Procedural History Before the Board

Text: Bar Counsel initially addressed this case as a reciprocal discipline matter, but (after correspondence with Respondent) submitted to the Board Respondent's consent to disbarment. In an Order dated April 4, 1991, the Board rejected Respondent's request for disbarment by consent, because of deficiencies in the affidavit submitted therewith. [2] Although it was not specifically stated in the Order, the Board rejected the affidavit because it referred only to Respondent's failure to keep adequate records and failure properly to advise his client of the opportunity to seek separate legal advice in connection with the transactions with Respondent. As in the New Jersey affidavit, no mention was made of the more serious fraud charges made against Respondent. The Board's Order gave Respondent an opportunity to submit a new affidavit which met the requirements of our rules. Bar Counsel moved for reconsideration of our Order, contending that Respondent's affidavit was adequate and that disbarment by consent was preferable to a de novo proceeding, which would pose difficulties for Bar Counsel because the underlying activities occurred in the early 1980's, and key witnesses (if still alive) would be of very advanced age and located some distance from this jurisdiction. The Board's Order of August 8, 1991 denied this motion, and directed Bar Counsel to proceed further in this case under the reciprocal discipline rules. Bar Counsel then filed a brief in support of reciprocal discipline, urging that the reciprocal discipline of disbarment be imposed on Respondent. Respondent did not object, but asked that any reciprocal discipline be imposed nunc pro tunc to the date of his New Jersey discipline, relying on his affidavit that he has not practiced law in the District of Columbia since 1972.